SAN ANTONIO -- Signs of life returned to the corner of East Houston and Navarro streets Thursday evening as shoppers got a sneak peak inside the new Walgreens.

The pharmacy was closed in January 2008 when the property owner decided to tear the aging building down to build a new structure. Local preservationists failed to save the original building that was built sometime in the late 1800s. The historic Walgreens sign was saved and now hangs in the same spot as it did on the old building.

Walgreens will hold its grand opening Friday with the doors opening to shoppers at 7 a.m., however, employees of Nix Hospital were granted access to the new store Thursday night to do some shopping.

A store manager said Walgreens will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. The pharmacy will only be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.