Walgreens is an American pharmacy chain that operates over 9,000 stores across the United States. Two of its locations in Providence, Rhode Island were featured in the 2022 Disney+ film Hocus Pocus 2, a sequel to the 1993 cult classic Hocus Pocus.
Background[]
In the film, the Walgreens store at 333 Atwells Avenue is visited by the Sanderson Sisters, three resurrected witches who are unfamiliar with modern technology and society. The store's exterior and front doors are shown in several scenes, including one where the doors open automatically for the witches, who mistake them for magic. The store's interior scenes were filmed at another Walgreens location at 135 Pitman Street, where the sisters explore the beauty aisle and encounter various products.
The film's director, Anne Fletcher, and her production team scouted hundreds of locations throughout New England to find the perfect backdrop for the film, which is set in Salem, Massachusetts. The two locations were chosen for their cleanliness, well-kept appearance, and their spacious layout, which was deemed perfect for filming. One of the store managers, Carleen Kenahan, who has been with Walgreens for nearly 30 years, described the filming experience as "exciting", "crazy", and "phenomenal". The production crew transformed the stores into Halloween-themed settings, adding decorations, props, and special effects. The filming took place in November 2021 and lasted for several days.