Downtown CVS Reopens After Street-Friendly Remodeling

The CVS store in downtown Kansas City reopened this week after a three-month remodeling project and its new, more street-friendly look is getting great early reviews.

Gone are the shrink-wrap advertisements that covered the windows and made it uninviting to passersby. The storefront is now transparent with a new layout inside as well.

“I think it’s going to meet the needs of all downtown residents, tenants and visitors,” said Sean O’Byrne, vice president of the Downtown Council. “The open glass allows light throughout the store and it’s well thought out.

“I think the investment will really pay off.”

The cash registers were relocated and a revolving door added as part of the CVS remodeling.

The store at 921 Main has been closed since March.

Officials with CVS were not available for comment, but a visit inside Tuesday found much of the same product mix as before, including a full-service pharmacy, but in a brighter, cleaner environment.

Other improvements include installing a revolving door and moving its cash registers farther inside.

The overhaul was part of the $139 million redevelopment of the historic Commerce Tower at 911 Main. The 30-story former office tower was converted into 355 apartments last year.

As part of the redevelopment project, CVS signed a new 20 year lease and agreed to substantially improve the appearance of the store. Commerce Tower Group, the project developer, told CVS in 2015 it would end the lease if it didn’t upgrade the property.

The downtown CVS includes food and beverage products.

Downtown’s only full service pharmacy was on the verge of closing in 2006, but remained open after lobbying by city and downtown advocates.

Jared Campbell, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, said his group was excited about the reopening and the new look.

“It’s been a big hole in the neighborhood not to have the pharmacy and a convenient place to get household goods and snacks,” he said.

“The remodeling makes a huge difference. It feels so much more open and inviting form the street now.”

Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The CVS Pharmacy is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.

The windows at the downtown CVS previously were obscured by shrink-wrap advertising.