Longs Drug stores closes all Washington state locations

By J. Jacob Edel
Mercer Island Reporter

The Longs Drugs store and pharmacy in the South end shopping center will be shutting down later this year because the company has decided to close 31 stores in four Western United States.

On Feb. 28 the California-based company announced it would be closing all of its 12 stores in the state. A total of 31 stores in Washington, Oregon, Colorado and California are being closed.

Farra Levin, a spokesperson for the company, said customers can expect business as usual at the Mercer Island Longs because there will be no changes made overnight. Levin said she thinks the store would remain open until this fall.

Levin also said the company is trying to find another tenant to occupy the retail space it vacates before they close the store. Liquidation sales will not begin until that happens. If Longs cannot find another tenant then merchandise will be put on sale prior to the closure.

Levin said the company will keep customers informed of any sales and the closure.

“There will be plenty of signage at the store,” Levin said, “that tells customers when things will be on sale or when the store will be closing. But things will be business as usual for now.”

For pharmacy customers, Levin said, the company will work with them to ensure there will be no lapse in their drug therapy. Levin encourages anyone with questions about filling their prescriptions to ask the pharmacists.