CVS/pharmacy enters St. Louis market

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS/pharmacy celebrated its entry into the St. Louis market on Thursday with a grand opening at its new store in Ellisville, Mo., and a donation to the St. Louis Area Foodbank.

CVS/pharmacy has opened four stores in the St. Louis market over the past week, with a fifth location slated to open in the fall. In total, the five stores will bring about 125 new jobs to the St. Louis community this year.

"We are pleased to be opening stores in St. Louis, the 20th largest drug store market in the country. It is a great fit for our strategy of expanding into high-growth markets," stated Larry Merlo, president of CVS/pharmacy. "Our mission at CVS is to make pharmacy solutions effective and easy for our customers, so we look forward to providing high-quality and convenient pharmacy services at a great value to our new customers in St. Louis."

Joining CVS officials at the ceremony were Charlie A. Dooley, St. Louis County executive, and Matt Pirrello, the mayor of Ellisville.

As part of the grand opening celebration in Ellisville, CVS/pharmacy announced a $10,000 donation in funding and products to the St. Louis Area Foodbank. The donation includes a $5,000 gift in January and a $5,000 match in personal care products in February as part of a collection drive.

Throughout the month of February, CVS' four St. Louis stores will have collection bins for customers to donate to the Foodbank nonperishable food and personal care items, such as hygiene and baby products purchased at CVS/pharmacy. CVS will match the amount of product donated by customers with an additional product donation of up to $5,000 in value.

"The St. Louis Area Foodbank is delighted to partner with CVS/pharmacy," stated Verletta Cole, director of development for St. Louis Area Foodbank. "We appreciate CVS/pharmacy for recognizing the need and for responding so generously."