I would love to have a drive through pharmacy in town - this is great news! It is so hard to get my kids in and out of the car to pick up medications. This will make life so much easier!

CVS had drive-through pharmacies in the mid-west over 15 years ago. It's amazing how long it takes for some concepts to reach California. It's also interesting how the City of Pleasanton government picks and chooses what businesses get to go in:
- CVS is OK, but Walgreen's is not
- CVS is OK, but Wal-mart is not
- Safeway gas is OK, but McDonalds is not
- Jack in the Box is OK, but McDonalds is not
- Originally, Shell Oil was OK, but Safeway gas was not
Once can't help but think that payola and/or left-wing loonism is involved. There is no better display of this at work than who gets to go into the Gateway Shopping Center.

". It's amazing how long it takes for some concepts to reach California"

Actually, there is a CVS drive through pharmacy in Fremont (Mission Blvd)

It's also amazing how everything comes down to "left-wing loonism" for some people.

Even if your conspiracy theory were correct, it's ironic given it's probably mostly right-wing people who run these companies and would be at the paying end of any such "payola." Takes two to tango you know.

Now, getting back to being productive in these comments... will either of these stores be 24H, particularly the pharmacies? There is a BIG need for that around here for sure.

Hey Payola, or, Mr or Ms Left Wing conspiracy,

How many McDonald's do we have in town right now?

I thought so...

Isn't there a CVS across from the TGIF parking lot already? Will that site be vacated once the new CVS opens in the TGIF spot?

CVS is such a disappointment compared to when they were owned by Longs. Their employees & service are worse than the DMV, they're almost as bad as WalMart. And, I've noticed a change in the clientel from when they were Longs. There are often some seedy looking people in the stores and hanging around the outside, they stink of cigarette smoke and liquor. Sorry, I know this has nothing to do with the article, just venting.

I wish they would move Trader Joe's into the current CVS in Rosewood. I love TJ's, but I hate the parking lot.

Well the CVS stores will be nice to have at first. Hopefully they will keep them up. Being located there will be an anchor there since TGIF is gone and Fresh and Easy will probably be gone in a year.

As far as the Walgreen's, it may not look nice but it sure has come through for my family time and time again. School supplies, treats for people, band-aids, cough medicine, all sorts of things. No Rx though. Our insurance isn't accepted there but it is at CVS!

@ Payola - Regarding the Safeway gas station: they always had that intent. But the original gas station franchisor there had a no-compete clause. The new gas station does not. So Safeway is now allowed in. Your insinuation that the only way things get done is by paying off government officials is not constructive, and misinformed.

Regardless of size,Walgreens @ Valley & santa rita will continue to get my business.
Payola, I guess I detected sarcasm. I just wish you would speak plain English. McDonald's, Walgreen's , and Trader Joe's are MY main stores of CHOICE in Pleasanton ! !
My big problem with TJ's is their impossible parking lots....auto insurance is pretty costly. Actually walkers are more careful at TJ's than the NON-watcher, and wandering walkers at Safeway.

Gangsters always hang outside of these types of stores. Do we really need one at Gateway?

Ready?,

You are the one that is misinformed. The Shell gas station across the street from Gateway Center was put in by Danville Oil, a major campaign to three of the City Council members, at the time they were able to negotiate the non-compete claus. It was highly unusual for the Council to grant them this non-compete, so it was a topic of hot discussion at the time as to whether payola was involved. When that station became a Chevron station, the non-compete no longer applied.

So my comment was not misinformed (as are you).

My comment was also constructive, as voters need to be concerned about whether their elected officials are on the take. The Danville Oil campaign contributions, given the timing, were highly suspicious.

I think that this is a fine addition. I do not use the Walgreen's at Santa Rita and Valley because the line is always so long there.
I think Pleasanton can support both!

I am looking forward to the new CVS going in at Safeway Gateway. It's a pain [removed[ to drive clear across town to get prescriptions and to the person who said gangsters hang out at these stores? [removed] are you talking about? I worked at two of them in the area for many years and have never ever seen gangsters hang there. I see more gangsters hanging at Foothill high school.

as for the drive thru pharmacy-the Danville CVS has had theirs for at least 8 years (yes Longs first )

I have an uncle that lives in Pennsauken New Jersey who is involved in local politics.He said the town tried to get CVS to build a store on a major intersection in the center town but CVS rejected the site. Now they are reviewing a concept plan for what he says will be the first Walmart Express in New Jersey.