Sherman Oaks : Same Staff to Return to Rebuilt Sav-On

The 55 or so Sherman Oaks Sav-On Drugs employees who were sent elsewhere after the earthquake destroyed their store at 14735 Ventura Blvd. will return to a newly rebuilt home store Feb. 3.

“The same crew is coming back,” said Sav-On spokeswoman Judie Decker. “I’m sure the workers will be happy to again serve the folks in Sherman Oaks . . . and the customers will see the same friendly checkers they knew from two years ago.”

Three Sav-On locations had to be rebuilt after the quake: Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills and Granada Hills. The Sherman Oaks store, which has operated its pharmacy in the parking lot for 24 months, is the last to reopen. Decker declined to disclose the cost of rebuilding the store.

With the sign about to arrive and construction and painting all but completed, Sav-On workers are busy stocking shelves for the reopening.

Observant customers will notice a few changes in the store, Decker said. For one, the size of the store is now 28,000 square feet instead of the previous 38,600 square feet--which Decker attributes to a company trend toward efficiency.

Although substantially smaller, the store will be brighter, have lower shelves so customers can see the entire store at a glance, and be wheelchair accessible.

“It has a very fresh, clean look,” Decker said.

For the first time, the Sherman Oaks Sav-On will have one-hour photo processing, a mini-convenience area with snacks, sodas and a dairy case and a section for baby clothes.

The store also will reopen with expanded hours--8 a.m. to midnight daily, with the pharmacy open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day but Sunday.