Walgreens to – Walgreens says theft and violence prompted the closure of its only Chatham store, raising alarms about medication access.
A Walgreens closure in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood is drawing sharp community reaction, with residents warning the shutdown could leave older adults and families struggling to get prescriptions.
Misryoum reports that Walgreens plans to close its Chatham store at 8628 S.. Cottage Grove Ave.. after what the company described as ongoing theft and violent incidents.. In a statement. Walgreens said it has tried a range of operating adjustments but that safety challenges have made it harder to maintain a secure environment for customers and employees.. The store is scheduled to close on June 4.
The fight over access is taking on a deeper meaning in Chatham, where the store is described as the neighborhood’s only Walgreens and where many residents do not drive.
Residents gathered outside the location after learning of the closure. with signs and commentary focused on the impact on seniors and families.. Local daycare owner Latonya Mitchell said the pharmacy is a routine destination for children and low-income households who rely on nearby access to medications.. She argued that the closure threatens continuity of care for families that depend on the Walgreens pharmacy for prescriptions tied to everyday conditions.
Meanwhile, Walgreens says it is offering options intended to prevent gaps in service.. Employees at the store will be able to transfer to other locations. and prescriptions are expected to be automatically moved to nearby stores.. Walgreens also said pharmacy customers will be able to receive free prescription delivery for 90 days.
This matters because closures can quickly shift costs and logistics for people who rely on daily or ongoing medication, especially when the nearest alternatives require a longer trip.
Community leaders also raised concerns beyond the immediate shutdown. pointing to broader patterns of store closures on Chicago’s South Side.. Misryoum reports that residents described the Chatham closing as part of a wider trend. with multiple Walgreens locations shuttered or scheduled to end service.. One alderman. William Hall. criticized the company for not engaging more directly with the community about what would come next after the store exits.
Hall noted that a portion of the area where Walgreens operated was designated for tax increment financing beginning in 2002. with expiration occurring this year.. He argued that as neighborhood incentives end. the pharmacy presence should not disappear without a clear plan to maintain access for residents who depend on it.. Hall called for the company to redesign the store and commit longer-term to the community.
At the end of the day, the debate in Chatham is about more than a storefront. It is a question of whether residents can count on dependable medicine access when a major pharmacy provider leaves and alternatives are less convenient.