ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Local leaders expressed outrage Friday as news came out that Walgreens was preparing to close yet another store in the area, this time, in Rochester's Bulls Head neighborhood. The company intends to shutter thousands of its stores nationwide, citing underperformances at several U.S. locations. 19th Ward residents in Rochester lose another vital part of the community In Rochester, Walgreens had already shut down its Thurston Road location back in 2022. Now, it plans to close the one located on West Main Street. “Walgreens’ intention to continue this history of disinvestment in yet another of Rochester’s densely populated, majority-minority neighborhoods is deeply disturbing and patently outrageous," said Rochester Mayor Malik Evans in a letter to Walgreens Boot Alliance CEO Tim Wentworth. Friday, Evans demanded that the parent company of Walgreens "halt" its plans to close another one of its locations in the city. “With these closures, Walgreens will render Rochester’s entire southwest quadrant a medical desert, with residents denied full and convenient access to the lifesaving, health-preserving medications and medical supplies found in a traditional drug store...I will remind you that minority populations like those in these neighborhoods disproportionately struggle with a myriad of healthcare challenges compounded by limited access to transportation," Evans explained in his letter, where he also invited Walgreens officials to personally meet with him to discuss the Bulls Head Revitalization Project happening in that area. According to Evans, Walgreens informed city leaders that this closure is part of its plan to shutter about 2,500 stores, further looking to redirect customers to its Lyell Avenue location in Rochester. When News 8 asked Walgreens about the closure Friday, company leaders said that its current way of doing business simply isn't working, writing: "Our retail pharmacy business is central to our go-forward business strategy. However, increased regulatory and reimbursement pressures are weighing on our ability to serve our patients profitably. We’ve reached a point where the current pharmacy model is not sustainable and the challenges in our operating environment require that we approach the market differently. We are making substantial changes to our store footprint, closing stores based on profitability including this store in Rochester which are not able cover the costs associated with rent, staffing, and supply needs.  While it is not an easy decision to close a store, we will work to minimize customer disruptions. We intend to redeploy the majority of our team members and offer our dedicated team members new roles at other locations." Fraser EngermanSenior Director, Media Relations & Issues Management Read the full letter from Mayor Malik Evans below: W.-Main-Walgreens-Closing-LETTER-9.20.25Download