Brook's is a nice pharmacy. They have good service, nice stores, and a good assortment of merchandise. They beat out CVS. The Newington, CT store was built in 2003 and was the old historical Newington theater. It was a great replacement. Another great Brook's is New-Britain CT on Stanley Street.
The company that owns Brooks (a French-Canadian company I believe that also has a different Rx chain there), also owns Eckerd now. They haven't really done much with Eckerd yet though, besides getting rid of "junk" like DVD movies and closing one or two older stores.
I worked for "Jean Coutu" wich is the company that owns Brook's.
The company acquired Brooks then acquired some Osco Drug in New England and renamed them Brooks. They now have a big part of Eckerd and CVS acquired the rest.
Eckerd pretty much uses the same ad as Brooks is using with only a few product changes.
(And for whatever reason, the Eckerd ads still say they accept JC Penney cards on the back even though I know they no longer accept)
this brooks is in methuen mass where OSco was in the merrimack plaza
from http://www.senateconstruction.com/projects/merrimack.shtml
Years ago this store was owned by the same company that owned Adams Drugs, I remember the advertisements had the name of Adams/Brooks Drugs. I don't know what point Brooks bought out Adams, probably in the 80's. Also, Brooks bought out the Douglas Drugs chain here in RI about 10 years ago. Now, there is pretty much a Brooks within a stone throw of CVS.
The Bennington, VT store - it is in the left part of the building with a video store in the right - an interesting store as it fronts on Route 7, but also has a small back entrance (with parking for about 5 vehicles) on the back street near the pharmacy. You can drive through from back to front (along the left side) but can't go back - and no drive thru for the pharmacy.
These stores are all in Mass.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd are all Pittsfield stores - 1st is on Route 7/20 heading to the south of downtown (and sits right on the street, so I got a side shot from the parking lot). 2nd is the store on the main street towards the north end of the street. 3rd is the store in Allendale Plaza (corner of Rt 8 & 9). All are fairly standard stores, none have drive thrus and all have been there at least 10 years (probably longer).
4th is the store in Adams - a small old mill town - they have a McDonalds, Big Y and Brooks - that's about it.
5th, 6th and 7th are in North Adams - The 5th is a former store in a plaza with a (Former) Kmart - this entrance faces a parking lot, they also had an entrance on the main street. The 6th is a new free-standing store that replaced it (on Route 2 next to Big Y). The 7th is another store on Route 2, closer to Williamstown, in what is a 99% A&P (while I don't know that for certain, it sure looks like that).
Briefly they had 3 stores in Bristol, Connecticut. Now they have none. They were located in the A&P Plaza on Pine Street, next to the outdated Waldbaums on Divinity Street, and in Caldor Plaza.
The one at Caldor Plaza closed first. After being open less than 2 years. Then the one in the A&P Plaza closed when they ripped down the plaza. They were not part of the new plaza becuase the Super Stop & Shop they built has a pharmacy in it. Brooks closed down a couple years after the Waldbaums did. I don't think Brooks co-existed with the shortlived supermarket that took over Waldbaums.
brooks in watertown ct in marshalls plaza
hamden ct and one of the modern designs
bangor me union st near 95
brooks in merideth nh
old brooks in laconia nh
new brooks in old rite aid in laconia nh and a year after it opened in this location, the one across the street (the picture above) closed
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
new brooks in old rite aid in laconia nh and a year after it opened in this location, the one across the street (the picture above) closed
old rite aid one in laconia nh
the one in bangor / brewer maine line.
Went to the Brooks on the corner of Dale Road/Route 44 in Avon, Connecticut. I think it's kind of weird that the store closes at 5PM on Sundays. (Then again the CVS in Bernie's Plaza in Southington closes at 6, I think).
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
new brooks in old rite aid in laconia nh and a year after it opened in this location, the one across the street (the picture above) closed
Gee, I wonder if they kept the Rite Aid signs so they can put them back up after Rite Aid takes over Brooks/Eckerd later this year?
QuoteOriginally posted by BillyGr
Gee, I wonder if they kept the Rite Aid signs so they can put them back up after Rite Aid takes over Brooks/Eckerd later this year?
Heh heh. I thought CVS purchased the remaining bulk of Eckerd locations... Either way, Brooks, Walgreens and CVS are all copying from each other's playbooks especially with the similar building styles. Remember when all these pharmacy stores used to be cozy and small?
My mom didn't realize that Eckard's and Brooks were one in the same and was surprised to see Eckard brand stuff at Brooks on Sunday.
QuoteOriginally posted by Marc82
My mom didn't realize that Eckard's and Brooks were one in the same and was surprised to see Eckard brand stuff at Brooks on Sunday.
They used to have a location in a now demolished strip mall beside the former Forestville Theater, right? That one was really small...
QuoteOriginally posted by XISMZERO
They used to have a location in a now demolished strip mall beside the former Forestville Theater, right? That one was really small...
Yes.
Here are a couple shots from Great Barrington, MA
The 1st two are the store in downtown (Main Street) - as you can see this one is quite old (with the orange letters and all) and relatively smaller.
The last shot is the store in the plaza with Big Y and the former Ames - it isn't terribly large, but a bit bigger (maybe).
Rite Aid bought out Brooks and they are closing stores. the Brooks in Coventry RI is closing, that is all that I know of as of now.
As of 2 weeks ago, all of the Brooks/Eckerd Pharmacy stores are now Rite Aid Pharmacy stores.
:saint:
I can't believe it, I've seen the banners hanging on all of the brooks stores!
Rite Aid is slowly making the transition. The only store I know of that has changed the outside signs to Rite Aid is the former Brook's store in New Britain CT. I've seen stores in Newington, Montville/Flanders, and Wethersfield CT with the Brook's signs still up and the Rite Aid banners on the building. Since Brook's is the pharmacy my family gets our prescriptions from, I've seen the inside of the Newington store and the prescription labels. So far the outside building design is pretty much the same, and the inside still looks the same, which is understandable. And merchandise still contains the Brook's square price tag on things like food/candy, etc. The receipts still read Brook's Pharmacy with a tag line on the bottom that reads 'Brooks is now Rite Aid'.
What has changed so far is that they now sell Rite Aid brand products, and they use Rite Aid bags now. As far as prescriptions are concerned, the prescription bags have changed, but the name label is still the same one Brook's used, and it looks as if the information pamphlets included with the prescription have just been replaced with the Rite Aid logo. I suspect that Rite Aid is making this transition very smooth and easy so no one is turned off by the change.
I know they have changed the Brooks signs over to Rite Aid at the one in Narrragansett and in Coventry both in RI ( Coventry had 2 Brooks within 5 minutes of each other. they are in process of closing the smaller one now.
Brooks on Newport Avenue in Rumford RI. This building used to house both a J C Best carpet center and a Douglas Drugs. The red roofed building in the background is a closed Bickfords that I believe is going to be demolished.
QuoteOriginally posted by Crawford
Brooks on Newport Avenue in Rumford RI. This building used to house both a J C Best carpet center and a Douglas Drugs. The red roofed building in the background is a closed Bickfords that I believe is going to be demolished.
that COULD be a CVS too. DAMN DAMN DAMN corporations!
Heres a Brooks turned Walgreens in Pelham NH
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/?action=view¤t=JoesPictures046.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/JoesPictures046.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I had an ex that used to work at the Brooks in Nashua and Milford and for no reason all her coworkers were really biased against me and tried to do things to make me look bad and break us up. Whenever I think of Brooks I always think of how much I wish I didn't have to pick her up there
Former Brooks in Waterville, ME.
QuoteOriginally posted by TRJ22487
I had an ex that used to work at the Brooks in Nashua and Milford and for no reason all her coworkers were really biased against me and tried to do things to make me look bad and break us up. Whenever I think of Brooks I always think of how much I wish I didn't have to pick her up there
In nashua was it on main street?
Brooks Pharmacy in Portsmouth NH in 2007 just before the change to Rite Aid. This location used to be an Osco Drug. Rite Aid moved across the street, the place is now a Petco.
Former Brooks in downtown Rochester NH (became Ben Franklin Crafts)
Brooks at Rochester Marketplace back in 2006.
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
Former Brooks in Waterville, ME.
It became a Goodwill store:
QuoteOriginally posted by d_fife
bangor me union st near 95
Picture of the same location:
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
Former Brooks in downtown Rochester NH (became Ben Franklin Crafts)
The old old Wal-Mart near my old home became a "Bud's Discount City", then Ben Franklin Crafts, then Big Lots.
I used to drive by Brook's headquarters in Warwick, RI often when going to college.
A Brooks basket at Marden's in Waterville ME.
QuoteOriginally posted by Crawford
Brooks on Newport Avenue in Rumford RI. This building used to house both a J C Best carpet center and a Douglas Drugs. The red roofed building in the background is a closed Bickfords that I believe is going to be demolished.
I've been to that one when would be in the Rumford area for that really nice pet store, I think it's simply called Rumford Pets but I can't remember; it's been years!
Also, I lived in the Warren/Bristol area for years and I remember going to Brooks all the time, it's a shame they are changing to Rite Aid... I've never even seen a Rite Aid before.
QuoteOriginally posted by MikeRa
As of 2 weeks ago, all of the Brooks/Eckerd Pharmacy stores are now Rite Aid Pharmacy stores.
:saint:
The Eckerds we had here in Florida turned into a CVS
QuoteOriginally posted by AmesNewington
The only store I know of that has changed the outside signs to Rite Aid is the former Brook's store in New Britain CT.
That one has since closed as is currently up for sale.
Pic1 Hudson NH on Lowell RD
Pic2 Andover Mass
Property Company Pictures
Former Brooks in Gardiner Maine, became a Family Dollar:
Former Brooks in Bangor, ME
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6249786689_6181ff4173.jpg)
Jean Coutu failed to successfully integrate Eckerd with Brooks. Unfortunately for PJC they took a 32% stake in Rite Aid when they sold off Brooks/Eckerd. They will take a bath if Rite Aid goes Chapter 11 as many expect them to do.
Quote from: retailisking on October 29, 2011, 07:39:26 PM
Jean Coutu failed to successfully integrate Eckerd with Brooks. Unfortunately for PJC they took a 32% stake in Rite Aid when they sold off Brooks/Eckerd. They will take a bath if Rite Aid goes Chapter 11 as many expect them to do.
When Jean Coutu only operated Brooks, it looked like everything was fine. It turned sour with the Eckerd deal. They probably should have kept Brooks and keep growing at a steady pace instead of buying another large chain.
Integration, it turns out, is a very hard thing for retailers to master. Rite Aid has had great trouble digesting the Brooks/Eckerd acquisition. Rite Aid has generated bulk (# of retail locations) without generating profitability. CVS, on the other hand, could teach a master class on integration.
That said, are there that many regionals left? Kinney Drugs is the only one of any size that I can recall. LaVerdiere's sold out to Rite Aid in 1994 after chain pharmacy competition heated up and Maine's blue laws were repealed (LV was big on general and seasonal merchandise in addition to the usual pharmacy and HBA items.) Likewise, PJC must have determined that they had to seize the opportunity to grow or get swallowed up or crushed. In the end the result was the same.
The former Brooks in Littleton, NH is still vacant (as is the entire strip center attached to it) and the label scar is still very visible. Rite Aid built a new freestanding location next door a few years ago.
The Brooks on Divinity Street in the West End of Bristol, Connecticut is still vacant along with the attached former Pats Marketplace Supermarket (formerly a very small Waldbaum's Foodmart. Bristol had 2 other locations:
Pine Plaza on Pine Street in the Forestville section of Bristol. - The entire plaza (except the movie theater and bank) was bulldozed in the early 90s and replaced by a new plaza - The Forestville Commons. Super Stop & Shop and they had their own pharmacy so that's why Brooks wasn't allowed to be in the new plaza.
Bristol Commons Farmington Ave (Route 6). Brooks briefly opened in the Bristol Commons when they built an addition onto the plaza in the early 90s. They closed claiming they could not compete with then-Arrow Pharmacy inside the Shaw's Supermarket nearby. (I don't remember about the other Shaw's, but when Bristol Shaw's opened they had Arrow Pharmacy a local pharmacy chain. They it became Shaw's Pharmacy before Shaw's changed it to Osco Pharmacy). The Brooks in the Bristol Commons is now a Sleepy's Mattress showroom.
Here's the listing for the former Brooks on Divinity Street in Bristol.
http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=16955683&SRID=2518560595&StepID=101
Former Brooks/Rite Aid in the Rochester (NH) Market Place (owned by a company controlled by anchor Market Basket) now vacant, but with ample clues as to its former use. Rite Aid built a huge freestanding location across the street.
In St. Johnsbury, Vermont...
Rite-Aid moved from their large freestanding location to the old Brooks location (formerly Butson's Supermarket).
Kinney Drugs moved into the old Rite Aid location.
Quote from: retailisking on April 10, 2012, 06:19:29 PM
The former Brooks in Littleton, NH is still vacant (as is the entire strip center attached to it) and the label scar is still very visible. Rite Aid built a new freestanding location next door a few years ago.
To clarify, The Rite Aid was built before Brooks went out.
Quote from: vwnut13 on April 17, 2012, 10:09:04 PM
To clarify, The Rite Aid was built before Brooks went out.
Good point. Did Rite Aid's presence in Littleton and St. Jay date back to their acquisition of LaVerdiere's?
Rite Aid tends to leave "white elephants" in its wake, don't they. There are two of them in the Portland, ME area alone.
The former Divinity Street Brooks in Bristol, Connecticut is still empty, but Dollar General took part of the adjacent former Waldbaum's. They have paper covering the windows, but in spots its falling down and you can see inside a little. It still looks like Brooks. And on an inside door it says "Thank-you for shopping at Brooks."
Eventually there will be 3 stores here. Dollar General only took part of the former Waldbaums, but from the outside you can't tell there's a spot for another store in-between Dollar General and the former Brooks. There is a conceptual drawing in the window of the former Brooks that shows another space in the middle.
Quote from: vwnut13 on April 17, 2012, 10:09:04 PM
In St. Johnsbury, Vermont...
Rite-Aid moved from their large freestanding location to the old Brooks location (formerly Butson's Supermarket).
Kinney Drugs moved into the old Rite Aid location.
This sounds like it might have been one of the locations that they were required to sell off one of the stores as part of the merger (particularly if they left a freestanding store for a former supermarket - though that may be a freestanding building also?).
There were just a couple locations like that in NY (where Rite Aid and Eckerd were the only drug stores) and this was required - Kinney took one of those also (Lake Placid) and eventually built their own new store to replace the strip mall Eckerd. The other I know of became a Medicine Shoppe and has since closed.
Quote from: BillyGr on April 14, 2013, 01:29:52 PM
Quote from: vwnut13 on April 17, 2012, 10:09:04 PM
In St. Johnsbury, Vermont...
Rite-Aid moved from their large freestanding location to the old Brooks location (formerly Butson's Supermarket).
Kinney Drugs moved into the old Rite Aid location.
This sounds like it might have been one of the locations that they were required to sell off one of the stores as part of the merger (particularly if they left a freestanding store for a former supermarket - though that may be a freestanding building also?).
The old Rite Aid and the New Rite Aid are pretty much the exact same size (the size of your average freestanding drugstore). The new location, the one that used to be a supermarket, is pretty much freestanding. There is a gas station built right up to the back side of it, with no space in between.
The new location however, is right in downtown. Their old location was just outside the village limits (but still in town). I'm sure they figured that the downtown location was better than the nicer building.
Were Brooks stores usually a little bit bigger than most other drugstores at the time?
Quote from: Stork of The Weak on May 07, 2014, 09:57:49 PM
Were Brooks stores usually a little bit bigger than most other drugstores at the time?
I can't say for sure overall, but the ones I have seen tended to actually be smaller than most. Up through the Rite Aid merger, I can only think of one store (the one in North Adams, MA) that had been rebuilt as a "modern" freestanding drive-thru store.
The others I know of were an odd combination - Williamstown MA is what looks like a Centennial A&P, Adams is a freestanding older building, Pittsfield East is in a strip plaza, Pittsfield downtown a building with small parking lot, same for Pittsfield South (those two are less than a mile apart I'd think), Bennington VT a freestanding building modified from something with a small space subdivided that had been a video store and the Brooks had a back entry by the pharmacy as well as a front one, Lee is in a mini plaza (probably was something else divided at some point), Great Barrington one in downtown building and had one in the Big Y strip plaza, CT Cannan is a small freestanding (I think) building.
As far as I know, none of these older stores have drive thru (though some could add it) and also (as far as I know, but I haven't been near any of these in a year or so) none had been replaced or closed (except the Great Barrington plaza one noted).
I would say all of these were no larger than any of the Rite Aid or CVS in-strip plaza stores (a couple may be a bit smaller) but just hung around somewhat longer than most of the similar sized stores of other chains.
The former Brooks in East Hampton, CT is now a Rite Aid. The plaza is still called Brooks Plaza though, oddly enough.
Once upon a time, in Putnam, CT, there was two Brooks stores operating within a quarter mile radius of each other.
Cleaning out my Grandmas storage locker and came across this Brooks Pharmacy bag! Brought back memories of an ex girlfriend that worked at the Milford, NH location
(http://i.imgur.com/8PHj0pu.jpg)