CVS Stores close in community, Leaves Vacancy, Creates Problem Provides Opportunity for local Pharmacy

Detroit - For the past years urban area landscapes have gradually changed. It has been two months since the local CVS store on Detroit's west side took its last customer. Like many other pharmacy companies downsizing, CVS has done the same. "As we announced in November 2021, we're realigning our retail footprint and reducing store density by roughly 900 stores (300 stores a year over three years)," stated Amy Thibault, External Communication Director, "As part of this realignment, our store at 16800 Schaeffer Highway closed on May 15 and all prescription files were transferred to our nearby CVS Pharmacy store at 10011 West McNichols Road to ensure patients had continued access to their medications. All employees were offered comparable roles at nearby CVS Pharmacy locations."

The closure has really sat in on residents in the neighborhood. The lack of quick and easy pharmaceutical needs, along with convenient toiletries has become evident. DJ Singleton is a frequent CVS patron, "I have asthma," he said, "I refilled my prescription the last week they were open and had to pick it up at the McNichols location." That location is a little over a mile away from Singleton's old CVS location.

Thibault affirms that it was a mixture of reasonings for this result. "The store closure decisions are based on population shifts, consumer buying patterns, a community's store density, maintaining access to pharmacy services, and future health needs to ensure we have the right kinds of stores in the right locations for consumers. The realignment also supports the evolution of our stores into community health destinations that meet our patients' health, wellness, and pharmacy needs." Overall, it sounds as if CVS is looking to give a better quality of service. Now to receive such a quality of service, residents will likely need a car.

"It's nowhere else for people in the neighborhood if they do not have access to a car," says Singleton. The next CVS at McNichols is about a five-minute car ride, 10-minute bus ride and a 30-minute walk. However, there is a pharmacy close by the Schaefer CVS location. Across the road Schaefer is Remedy Pharmacy.

Upon entering Remedy Pharmacy, you are greeted by a friendly pharmacist. He gave out a brochure full of information and seemed welcoming to new customers. From the pamphlet they offer, 10 minutes or less prescription fulfillments, accept all insurances, senior discount, brand names, free home delivery and free med evaluation.

Loyal CVS customers still have access to a familiar franchise, with the location a mile away. Remedy Pharmacy should be a great asset for the neighborhood. For now, the community does have pharmaceutical needs available. However online shopping has increased, and business storefronts are debatable on need.

What do you think should happen to the vacant building?