DANVERS — Walgreen Co. is promising business as usual in the stores it plans to keep open as it acquires 12 neighborhood Eaton Apothecary pharmacies in the Boston area from DAW Inc., a subsidiary of Nyer Medical Group.
The approximately $19 million deal was announced Oct. 23, and it was expected to close in 90 days.
Eaton has 18 locations in eastern Massachusetts, including stores in Danvers, Salem, Lynn, Peabody and Marblehead.
Stores in Danvers and Marblehead will become Walgreens locations. The Danvers store at 47 Elm St. is in a small strip mall just off Danvers Square, a half-mile away from a large Walgreens at 107 High St.
However, the small, neighborhood store will remain, said John Lynch, Eaton's vice president of operations.
"The Danvers Eaton is one of the pharmacies that Walgreens is acquiring, and they do plan on continuing to operate it," said Mark Dumouchel, DAW and Nyer Medical Group president, in a voice-mail message. "They will be signing an extended lease. It is my understanding they will be there for the immediate and foreseeable future."
Not every Eaton Apothecary will stay open. The Salem pharmacy at 111 Canal St. will be acquired by Walgreens but closed, as it is too close to another Walgreens.
On the North Shore, Eaton will retain its store in Peabody and two in Lynn and operate those and others in the state as smaller stores, Lynch said.
Walgreens spokesman Jim Cohn said yesterday that the company will turn all the Eaton stores it is buying into Walgreens.
"Not only are we keeping most of the pharmacies open, but we also intend for eligible employees at all 12 locations to join our team," said Walgreens Market Vice President Dave White, in a prepared statement. "Eaton's customers should expect to see the familiar faces and services they know and trust."
"It is our goal and our intention to keep the pharmacies open," Cohn said. "We recognize the loyalty of the customers in the area."
When asked if customers should be concerned about changes to their accounts and prescription records, Cohn said, "They should not worry. ... We expect there to be no interruption in service."
For instance, the Danvers store will continue its delivery service for elderly patients, Lynch said.
Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by e-mail at eforman@salemnews.com.
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