By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Aug 15, 2012 at 11:05 PM

I have never been able to completely wrap my mind around Walgreens. I mean, I get that it's a pharmacy and has a lot of personal hygiene items and a large selection of makeup and tons of bubble bath and hundreds of those poofy scrubby thingies.

But other items for sale at Walgreens perplex me. Particularly the food aisle. I never thought Walgreens Spaghetti O's or packaged bologna slices were particularly appealing and now, Walgreen's has fresh fruit and Racine Kringles.

Don't get me wrong, I like Walgreens, especially the holiday aisles, but never in a million years would I think to buy my fresh fruit or bakery there.

Then again, I wouldn't think I'd buy my clothing there, either, but three years ago I bought a retro-looking, faux leather jacket at a Walgreens in New Orleans. And guess what? It's my favorite jacket. Almost every time I wear it, someone compliments it, and I get to say, "Thanks, I got it at Walgreens."

Maybe Walgreens is just a mini Walmart. I don't know why I am always somewhat surprised by Walgreen's offerings when box stores carry everything from toilet plungers to Jordan almonds for the wedding day. And yet, when I see soy candles next to Pillow Pets next to flip flops next to apples and bananas, this consumer gets a little perplexed.

Is Walgreens a variety store? And a pharmacy? And a grocery store?

Maybe every time I start wandering the aisles, wondering what's the deal with Walgreens and who buys slippers shaped like beer cans or battery-operated singing fish that get mounted to the wall, I should just grab a huge box of Lemonheads and be done with it.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.