An epic Walgreens store - "unlike anything you've ever seen," according to District Manager Dave Devencenzi - is planned for lower Powell Street, just off the cable car line. The store will remodel the lower floor of the existing Walgreens and then expand upstairs to take over Lori's Diner, which is moving up the street.

Walgreens stores are always a bit of a lightning rod in San Francisco because there are 68 within the city limits. But officials in the pharmacy chain believe that the amenities offered by this store, and the fact that it is just an expansion of an existing location, will mitigate objections.

It will feature its own bakery, a custom cosmetics department, fresh produce, a juice and coffee bar, and fine wines and alcohol. First, however, the location must have a liquor license approved. Devencenzi said an informational meeting is scheduled for July 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the community room at 201 Turk St. Construction is scheduled to start in October, and the plan is to open in May 2013.

The high-traffic Market/Powell corridor has been a gold mine for Walgreens. The neighborhood is home to some of the highest-grossing stores in its national chain. But this flagship store, which will grow to about 18,000 square feet, will redefine the experience. Devencenzi says there are only two like it in the country, one in New York City and the other in Chicago.

At the Chicago grand opening in January, a Tribune reporter gushed about the sushi bar, mini health spa and $2,000 bottle of cognac.

For a neighborhood better known for pint bottles of cheap Royal Gate vodka, that would be quite a change.

Capt. Greg Corrales is sending a message that he won't allow pot sales in Golden Gate Park. In one five-day period, his Park Station officers made 10 bust-buy arrests. Corrales says he's getting great cooperation from the district attorney's office, and most of those arrested end up copping to a felony plea.

Corrales has even made some undercover buys himself, although one dealer suspected he was a cop.

"I feigned outrage," Corrales said. "I said, 'How can I be a cop? I'm 75 years old.' So the guy said, 'OK, OK, we have to be careful,' and sold it to me. But in retrospect I was kind of annoyed that he believed I was 75 years old."

Annals of crime, Chronicle edition. A cell phone was stolen from a woman walking in front of the Chronicle building. She rushed inside, said she'd been robbed, and one of our security guards ran out, grabbed the suspect and held him for the police. Talk about the power of the press.