Kinney relates to customers.(Kinney Drugs)(Brief Article)

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. -- It was a good year for Kinney Drugs, according to president and chief executive officer Richard Cognetti.

The retailer broke ground for 10 stores in 1999, opening seven units (three in New York and four in Vermont). The other three stores--in Carthage, N.Y., Messina, N.Y., and Derby, Vt.-- debuted earlier this year. The additions, Cognetti says, are in. keeping with Kinney's plans to maintain a young store base.

"About 35% of our chain is five years old or less," he comments. "Our goal five years from now is to have the whole chain 10 years old or less."

With more relocations and remodelings planned this year, Kinney should be on track to …