Sav-on on PCH to become a CVS store

The local Sav-on drug store on South Pacific Coast Highway will soon change names.

CVS Corp. acquired the drugstore that has served the community for more than 20 years in June. But the name change and remodeling of the store isn’t expected until August or September.

Plans for the change include adding carpet to the store, an additional cosmetic isle, and a new computer system, store supervisor Jake Bailey said.

In addition to the cosmetic changes, there will be a discontinuation of 2,000 national brand products that are to be replaced by CVS’s private label, “CVS Gold Emblem Products,” Bailey said.

CVS Corp. is a Rhode Island-based company that has been in the pharmacy business for over 40 years.

In 2004 it became America’s leading pharmacy retailer after it increased its store count to more than 5,000 locations.

On June 2, CVS announced its purchase of about 700 Sav-on and Osco drugstores from Albertsons Inc, which included the Laguna Beach store.