CVS describes itself as the "number one drugstore chain in thecountry" with 4,100 stores in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic,Southeast and Midwest. It also calls itself the nationÕs largestpharmacy.However, hometown drugstore Walgreens (Deerfield, IL)calls itself the nationÕs largest drugstore chain with fiscal 1999sales of $17.8 billion. Spokesperson Michael Polzin toldGlobeSt.com that Walgreens currently operates 3,100 storesnationwide and will open 450 stores this year. Walgreens operatesabout 115 stores within the boundaries of the city of Chicago.

Walgreens had opened its 3,000th store this spring in ChicagoÕsGreektown neighborhood, 111 S. Halsted St., with some politicalfanfare. Illinois Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood and Illinois Secretary ofState Jesse White attended.Plans for most new Walgreens arefreestanding, 24-hour stores with drive-through lanes for thepharmacy. Usually a developer buys the land, builds the store andWalgreens leases it. Walgreens plans to operate 6,000 storesthroughout the United States by the year 2010, according to thecompany. It currently has stores in 43 states and Puerto Rico.

CVS will also enter the Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, FL, marketsthis year. Stone Real Estate is representing CVS in Chicago.American Landmark Properties handles the 175 W. Jackson building.Osco, Walgreens major competitor in the Chicago market, currentlyoperates over 1,100 stores in 27 states.