Sep 24, 2024
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) - Community members of Rochester's Bull's Head neighborhood are growing upset following news the Walgreens on West Main Street could close later this year. News 8's Natalie Kucko caught up with neighbors there, who rely on the store for prescription medications and other needed resources. Late last week, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans penned a letter to the CEO of Walgreens, urging the company to reconsider its plans to close the location. Two years ago, Thurston Road in the 19th Ward saw its Walgreens shut down, which left devastating effects to nearby residents. Those in the Bull's Head neighborhood feel this move would be just as harmful, creating a pharmaceutical desert there. "We're going to see even worse effects here. If you look around the neighborhood, a lot of people don't have transportation. So, it would be an added expense for them to get rideshare, or an extreme inconvenience for them to take a bus. There is nowhere in this entire quadrant where people are going to be able to get their medication. It's something I think Walgreens isn't really considering," said Perry Ashford of Rochester. "It's right in a neighborhood where we really need it. There's a lot of people that are sick, like me, that can't get out. I was able to get out today, but there's days where I can't get out of the house," said Sheila Hardeman of Rochester. Hardeman's daughter had just learned of the pending closure, and said it brings future stress to the well-being of her family. "I didn't even really know until you all just walked up to me. I didn't even know. That's crazy. We really do need it here," said Shineke Hardeman. Mayor Evans has promised a path forward for a replacement pharmacy in the neighborhood. However, some aren't hopeful. "What resolutions? We'll probably have to wait until after the Bull's Head reconstruction happens. Maybe they'll have a drug store there, but who knows?" said Ashford. The Mayor's office says it appears the West Main St. Walgreens will close in November. News 8 asked Monroe Co. Executive Adam Bello for comment on the plans, and he declined. In a statement, Walgreens says it plans to relocate most of its employees from the West Main St. location to remaining stores in the area. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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