Walgreens Opens Doors at Valley Fair: A One-Stop Shopping Destination

Walgreens Opens in Valley Fair Mall: One-Stop Shopping for Beauty, Health, and Home

Walgreens team at Valley Fair Mall was led by Store Manager William “Bill” Fnch, District Manager Neil Andrews, and Assistant Store Manager Joe Walker.

In 1970, Walgreens celebrated the grand opening of its new store at 3600 S. 2700 West in the Valley Fair Shopping Center in Granger. Managed by William Finch, the 10,800-square-foot store offered fifty complete departments under one roof, bringing the modern concept of one-stop shopping to the community.

The store was notable for its extensive Beauty Center, featuring more than 5,000 cosmetics from top brands such as Revlon, Max Factor, and Fabergé. With 500 types of eye makeup, 600 shades of lipstick, and 150 shades of nail polish, the Beauty Center allowed women to explore an extraordinary range of products. Professional Beauty Consultants, all trained graduates of cosmetic school, provided expert guidance and helped patrons select the perfect items. Beautiful curved glass cases and carefully designed lighting ensured a sophisticated shopping experience.

Walgreens also broke away from the traditional drugstore model by offering a complete small appliances department, the only one in the area at the time. Shoppers could browse a full aisle of popular items, including electric frying pans, toasters, can openers, blenders, and electric knives, with models to suit every budget. Deluxe and decorator-colored models provided options for those looking for style and functionality.

Further expanding the store’s offerings, Walgreens carried radios, phonographs, and television sets. Products ranged from compact, portable record players and solid-state televisions to larger stereo units and big-screen TVs. The store’s emphasis on electronics and appliances reflected its goal of providing a true one-stop shopping experience for the growing West Valley community.

In addition to beauty, health, and electronics, Walgreens offered departments for household cleaning, sporting goods, pet supplies, hardware, photography, and a prescription pharmacy with over 5,000 pharmaceuticals. The Valley Fair Walgreens combined convenience, quality, and variety, representing a bold evolution of the modern drugstore concept.