Last week, she regained the convenience of a pharmacy within walking distance when Longs Drugs opened its doors.

"I think it's great that Longs is here," Linda said. "I think it's great that there's someplace close by to pick up a carton of milk."

Mackey's closed years ago, and the site has housed several other merchants—its current tenant is the Sylvan Learning Center.

Longs Drugs quietly opened to the public on Nov. 11 but had its ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration on
Nov. 14.

Although Linda is sentimental about the past, her husband, John, has been paying attention to how Longs management conducted itself throughout the development of its Willow Glen site.

"Longs was a good neighbor," John said. "They worked with the residents and the other merchants" to try to adhere to the avenue's architectural character.

Zoo Hannah, who's lived in Willow Glen for 31 years, said she's pleased to see that Longs constructed a bench on the building's corner at Lincoln and Brace avenues.

"It's very user-friendly," she said. "Now if they could put an awning over it for when it rains, that would be better."

The prospect of Longs Drugs coming to Lincoln Avenue was met with the business district's usual degree of apprehension. There were concerns about the demolition of the former Washington Mutual bank and whether the newly constructed Longs Drugs building would conform to the avenue's aesthetics. There were also other stipulations—mainly calming traffic on Brace Avenue, being open limited hours and not selling alcohol or tobacco.

These requirements were easy to comply with, said store manger Bob Petroquin, who jumped at the chance to manage the Willow Glen store. And he gives three reasons: "location, location and location."

He also said he's familiar with the area, saying that his wife's uncle has a business nearby.

Petroquin said he's been with Longs Drugs for 30 years.

After he got married, he applied for a part-time position at a Longs Drugs to earn Christmas money during the 1960s. Longs Drugs asked him to return as a full-time employee, and he accepted. Petroquin worked in numerous positions and in 1972 began his management duties. He's worked in a managerial capacity at a dozen Longs stores in California during the past 21 years, he said.

Several Longs Drugs employees at other stores put in transfer applications to work at the Lincoln Avenue store—more than Longs could accommodate to fill its "core" positions, such as pharmacy specialists and floor managers—Petroquin said.

Petroquin has opened several Longs Drugs stores and supervised Longs buyouts or takeovers of stores.

"Opening a store is a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun," he said.

Before Longs opened, the nearest convenience store was the Quik Stop on Minnesota Avenue, hidden behind the Starbucks.

Jo Van Lynt, a Willow Glen resident for 60 years, plays the lottery at the Quik Stop but said, "I think it's great for people who don't have cars or who don't drive for a Longs to be on Lincoln Avenue."

Working the counter at the Quik Stop, Jahn Matar said he isn't worried that a big-name drugstore and pharmacy might affect the 25-year-old convenience store's business.

"Maybe it's a good thing," Matar said. "Maybe it's bad; I don't know. All I can say is that Longs will bring in a lot of business, and some of the customers could also come over here."

For more information on Longs Drugs, 1285 Lincoln Ave., call 408.280.5124 or visit www.longs.com.