Longs Drug Stores announced the grand opening of its 37th Hawai'i store, a small pharmacy in 'Ele'ele, Kaua'i.

The smaller-format retail pharmacy at Eleele Shopping Center in south Kaua'i complements two full-size Longs stores in Lihu'e and Kapa'a on the island's east side.

"This store is going to be helpful to our pharmacy customers on the south side of the island," said Longs spokeswoman Phyllis Proffer.

The new 'Ele'ele store is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. except from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Longs has 37 stores in Hawai'i, including six smaller pharmacy stores that the company began adding last year as part of a corporate expansion strategy.

Proffer said California-based Longs, which has about 500 stores in several states, expects its number of stores to grow 7 percent annually, with a mix of small pharmacy stores and full-size traditional stores featuring general merchandise and pharmacy operations.

The expansion in Hawai'i comes as the nation's largest drugstore chain, Walgreens, is pushing ahead with a goal to open as many as 40 stores in the state, with the first store slated to open in Honolulu in November.