I am wondering does CVS keep the downtown Longs or does the company tear it down or sell it? If they keep it , I hope they open up the doors that face The Fulton Mall. I also hope they clear the windows facing the mall of merchandise and paint and have at least the sense of "eyes on the street" from the store.
Ideally they would face the store to The Fulton Mall rather then towards the parking lot like it currently does.

Yes, it was all lack of Leadership in Upper Level Management (ie: Walnut Creek execs). Long's used to be a company that let their Store Managers actually Manage their own stores. For the last 10 years, that autonomy has slowly been taken away from the Store Managers. Which is why you see the "cookie cutter" stores now. Prior to the new "business model" (which in Long's vernacular was "Either you're on the bus or you aren't"), Long's stores were unique, stocking items that the Local Shoppers would like to have. If in a Tourist Area, the items would be geared toward the Tourist's needs and so on. Now, every Long's Drugs you walk in to is exactly the same. Even the items on the shelves are placed in exactly the same place in each store. For the last 5 years, especially, those who weren't "on the bus" were forced out of the company. Long-time, Hourly Employees who reached their "wage cap" were also forced out (having their hours cut to where they no longer received benefits).

I could go on and on about how CVS may possibly be an improvement. Time will tell. Hopefully, they will treat their Employees better than Long's has the last 10 years. Long's USED to be a great place to work. I'm just glad I got out when I did. (No, I'm not bitter. I've moved on to a much better job that actually pays me a salary commensurate with my experience.)

When I worked downtown I went to the Longs at Fulton. I would drop by at lunch to get pantyhose, tums, etc. It was easy and quick.

On the CVS side. I have heard great things about CVS from friends in other areas. The one on Kings Canyon and Peach looks like it could be done soon!

It comes as no surprise. For years they looked like they were in decline. I wonder, if behind the scenes there has been a loss of leadership in management? Related: The new Walgreen's is open at Clinton and Blackstone. Haven't been in there yet.

Rite-Aid to me. But they have that ice cream everyone seems to love.

But how is Long's preying on downtown but not the rest of the city? There's tons of these places in town.

The only reason they stay open is the high perscription prices and the alcohol they sell.
Who really shops there unless you need something in a hurry?
Food? Gifts? Decorations?
What do you really buy there?
Every thing is over priced.

Yeah I don't mind paying 3x more than everywhere else, and picking up some film for my camera and eggs for wife in the process.