Proraso at Walgreens sort of

[David in Boston]

In downtown Boston there is an "upscale" Walgreens that moved into an old bank building recently. Well I just had some time to kill so I checked it out to see if they had any VDH Luxury shave soap. They didn't but they do have a section with clerks who only work this upscale beauty section. I asked about shaving supplies and one showed me the luxury supplies which were Proraso creams & aftershaves. The prices were reasonable if I remember as in $10 a tube for shave cream. Just guessing that Walgreens may be trying a new marketing approach to the public.

 

[the_edski]

Consider me intrigued...I will have to venture to an upscale neighborhood of Chicago to see if this phenomenon has spread.

 

[mikeal]

I live near a Walgreens but my neighborhood is a long way from upscale so I'd probably have to venture to the 'burbs to look.

 

[cb91710]

The employees at my Walgreens don't even know what Glycerine is.

 

[the_edski]

The employees at my Walgreens don't even know what Glycerine is.

Some do, but for the entirely wrong end of the body

 

[redrako]

As I understand it Walgreens has certain "Flagship" stores that have added goods and services. I believe that there are similar stores in Chicago and New York.

The new Boston Walgreens' is located at a former Flagship Borders bookstore. (David, do you recall what bank was located there before Borders came in?) As it was opening it made a big deal about how it would carry special products as well as fresh sushi and have a smoothie bar.

The Proraso is located not near the shave section, but near a boutique cosmetic section (my wife tells me that they have men's products there. If you'll notice the tubes and tubs seem to have sold some, where as the cans of goo seem to be fully stocked.

 

[David in Boston]

As I understand it Walgreens has certain "Flagship" stores that have added goods and services. I believe that there are similar stores in Chicago and New York.

The new Boston Walgreens' is located at a former Flagship Borders bookstore. (David, do you recall what bank was located there before Borders came in?) As it was opening it made a big deal about how it would carry special products as well as fresh sushi and have a smoothie bar.

The Proraso is located not near the shave section, but near a boutique cosmetic section (my wife tells me that they have men's products there. If you'll notice the tubes and tubs seem to have sold some, where as the cans of goo seem to be fully stocked.


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That's what I was looking at yesterday. And to answer your question I think it was the Bank of Boston that occupied that building.

 

[Foyle]

I'm going to have to check out the Walgreens here. I didn't notice whether or not they had any the last time I was there, but I wan't looking either.

 

[David in Boston]

That's what I was looking at yesterday. And to answer your question I think it was the Bank of Boston that occupied that building.

My bad, it was the Boston Five Cent Savings Bank.

 

[redrako]

Oh my gosh, I remember Boston Five Cent Savings bank. Thanks for that.

My wife had stopped in last weekend and texted me the photo. She brought home a tube of the excellent Proraso Sandlewood and a grren tub of equally great soap.

 

[rxonmymind]

Indeed they are. Here in the San Francisco bay area which I have yet to go to they opened one on May 8 on the corner of Powell and O'Farrell. I'll check them out when I pass through there next time.

 

[26m10]

What is the interest in a meetup at downtown crossing that ends with a trip to this Walgreens?

 

[framos242]

I wonder if there's a list for the locations selling Proraso..... Hhmmm.

 

[ackvil]

I wonder if there's a list for the locations selling Proraso..... Hhmmm.

If you type Proraso on their website search function nothing shows up.

 

[jpakstis]

I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...ve-work-in-Boston-and-like-Proraso?highlight=

This Walgreen's isn't a "run of the mill" Walgreens, as it has sushi, a juice bar, and a frozen yogurt area. Like Redrako mentioned above, this one is meant to be a flagship in a pretty high traffic area. I work just up the way from there so I followed the progress with interest. I think as part of its deal to develop in the city, Walgreens had promised to make it a flagship (the mayor of Boston is keenly interested in making that area into a destination spot again). So I don't know if stocking Proraso there is a "test run" or just a "one off". The area that the Proraso is in is a higher-end cosmetic/nail and make-up salon/boutique area and not in the "regular" shaving section.

 

[Stol3n]

my local store has both the VDH Luxury and Proraso. Gotta love having great options just around the corner.

 

[BigWill]

Looks like this is a trend (Proraso) that will get to all Walgreens eventually. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...er-changes_n_3529984.html?utm_hp_ref=business

 

[Toothpick]

I wish I had a flagship store near me! Flagship stores are meant to be test stores also so wouldn't surprise me if all walgreen started carrying proraso. They get all the cool stuff before other stores.

 

[dpm802]

A search of their website does not reveal anything by Proraso. At least, not yet. So it must be a test-market in those stores.

Someone at a flag-ship store needs to take one for the team and buy up EVERYTHING in stock. This will prove to them that Proraso is a brand worth carrying nationwide, so the rest of us will have local access to the brand.

 

[Foyle]

I checked my Walgreens here. So far no Proraso. It would be great if they began carrying it.