KKE Architect Expects to Complete Nine New Longs Drug Stores’ for Company’s 2005 Expansion; 23 New Longs Drug Stores are Planned in 2006

PASADENA, CA - Award-winning KKE Architects, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, with offices in Las Vegas; Pasadena and Irvine, Calif., announced today the company expects to complete nine new store drawings for Longs Drug Stores in 2005. Longs Drug anticipates aggressive growth with approximately 23 new stores planned for 2006.

The contract with Longs includes remodels as well as new store design. KKE is responsible for entitlements, construction drawings and permits for new stores in southern and northern California.

For more than 18 years, Gene Naval has been the lead architect in managing the Longs Drug Store account. Over his career, he has completed nearly 120 projects for Longs, which equals almost 25 percent of their total store count. Currently, Longs Drug Store prototype ranges in size from 16,000 to 18,000 square feet and the company is aggressively looking for new sites in the southern and northern California regions.

“We really appreciate the responsiveness and quality of service that Gene and KKE provides Longs. KKE works with our group to ensure that each store is unique to the community it serves. They also provide a valuable service in handling our entitlements to insure that our stores get opened as quickly as possible,” says Steve Chandler, Director of Construction, Longs Drug Store.

“KKE is excited to work with Longs Drug Stores and expedite their expansion through design, construction documents and entitlements. Our experience working with other major retailers and major tenants, allows us to assist our retail clients in opening their stores very quickly, and in multiple markets,” says KKE’s Managing Principal Brian Arial, AIA.

“Gene Naval is a seasoned architect and project manager with more than 36 years of experience including retail, industrial, office and religious facilities. I have never seen clients appreciate someone as much as they appreciate Gene. Ninety-eight percent of his work comes from repeat clients. He is truly an asset to KKE,” notes Arial.

Longs Drug Stores Corporation (NYSE: LDG) is one of the most recognized retail drug store chains on the West Coast and in Hawaii. Through its 473 stores located in California, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Oregon, Longs Drug Stores serves the health and well-being needs of consumers through customer-oriented pharmacy services and convenient product offerings that include over-the-counter medications, photo and cosmetics. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., Longs also provides pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services through its RxAmerica subsidiary.


About KKE Architects, Inc.

After 37 years in the business, award-winning KKE Architects, Inc. has grown to become one of the top architectural firms in the country. With offices in Minneapolis; Las Vegas; Pasadena and Irvine, Calif., KKE’s professional staff of over 200 offers a unique blend of expertise across a broad range of market segments encompassing Retail/Lifestyle, Live Entertainment, Housing, Government, Hospitality, Aging, Education, Industrial and Office/Private Development. Ideally suited for mixed-use developments, KKE applies its broad expertise to the delivery of “reality grounded” solutions in the disciplines of architecture, interior design and planning services.

KKE continues to grow through a keen focus upon maximizing their clients’ success; by expanding upon the vision of each client to accomplish more than they ever thought possible. For more information, visit www.kke.com.

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