Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Palatial New Duane Reade Brings Nail Salon, Sushi Bar To Wall Street
By
Bethany O'Grady
Published Jul 6, 2011
Modified Jul 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 7
By
Bethany O'Grady
Published Jul 6, 2011
Modified Jul 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Today Duane Reade opened a massive new 24-hour, 22,000-square-foot, flagship store at 40 Wall Street in the Financial District. And what exactly does Duane Reade do with 22,000 feet? Offer a surprising array of upscale goods, food and services that you just can't find in the area's 14 other Duane Reade locations.
"We decided to put all of our bells and whistles into one store," Joe Magnacca, president of Duane Reade and Everyday Living Situations at the Walgreen Company, told us. Those 'bells and whistles' include on-site beauty services (manicures, blow-outs, and eyebrow threading) as well as a sushi bar and a juice bar. Magnacca elaborated, "In our beauty area we've expanded to services including a nail bar and our Phyto Salon where you can get a blow-out and you can get your hair analyzed." We can't wait to go back for a girl's night out to get our hair Duane Readelyzed!
At lunchtime today, Magnacca divulged that the sushi chefs were having a hard time keeping up with all of the orders coming in. We spoke to Brooklyn resident John Chester, who, after purchasing the $6.99 Salmon Avocado roll, told us, "It was fresh. I can compare it to the sushi at Whole Foods. Actually, this [location] is like 7/11 meets Rite Aid meets Target." In other words: PARADISE. And while we opted for a $4.99 Berry Breakfast Smoothie (which was refreshing), it was not unlike any of the smoothies you can get at a street cart or even make at home. We expect more from a superstore!
As for what Duane Reade's strategy is here, Magnacca explains, "We're really inspired by the European drugstore, which is very different from what we have here in the U.S. We're trying to move the market in a very different way. A drugstore is essentially founded in health and some convenient foods, we believe we have the opportunity to expand in to more foods, and that's why he have the sushi bar and gluten-free products. In addition, we're trying to offer services. We think that European inspired drugstores are the future for North America."
But Chester, the shopper from Brooklyn, isn't so sure. He noted the entrance to the store and wondered, "Who would use an escalator just to get into a Duane Reade? It'll be convenient for people who live in the neighborhood, but since no one lives in the Financial District..." Hey, get with the times pal; it's not the FiDi, it's SoMa.
Tagged
duane reade
duane reade flaghship
financial district
soma
Bethany O'Grady
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .