ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – After a number of grocery stores and pharmacies have closed in one of Albuquerque’s lower-income districts, another store is getting ready to shut its doors. Another Walgreens in the International District is calling it quits adding to the growing pharmacy desert in the area.
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Walgreens announced they’ll be shutting down the Eubank and Central location. In a statement which can be read in full below, Walgreens said the store is “not able to cover costs associated with rent, staffing, and supply needs”. The company said the store’s last day will be November 6.
Albuquerque City Councilor Nicole Rogers said this closure adds to the growing pharmacy desert in the area. “This is a huge blow to the community, especially the seniors that live in the new development across the Luminaria, we have another one planned on the opposite side of Central so I’m really worried for our vulnerable folks,” said Councilor Rogers, District 6.
One neighborhood association pointed out this closure will force customers to travel farther for their prescriptions. This in a community that has seen a flurry of recent store closures, including the Central and San Mateo Walgreens and nearby Walmart . “Many of them are low-income residents. They don’t have transportation, they would have to rely on services to get to those locations to obtain their medications,” said Jennifer Jones, Neighborhood Association President.
Customers KRQE News 13 spoke to said it’s disappointing news. “It’s unfortunate for everyone else that lives around here and doesn’t have the options, the mobility options that I have and convenience to another location,” said Allan Knighten, customer.
Melinda Hernandez carpools with friends and family in order to get her prescriptions here at least once a month. “It kind of stinks because we’re closer to this Walgreens. More gas, going over there and then gas is real expensive right now so you know,” said Hernandez.
Councilor Rogers said the city needs to find solutions to work with businesses so they stay. “I think we have a lot of work to do in our community so that businesses aren’t leaving and this comes back to public safety, homelessness, all of the things that we got to get all hands on deck to solve,” said Councilor Nicole Rogers, District 6.
Councilor Rogers said anyone needing pharmacy resources can reach out to her office online .
A spokesperson with the city sent this statement:
Albuquerque is not immune to national trends like we’re seeing with Walgreens closing stores across the country. We continue to work to redevelop vacant properties in the city and encourage businesses grow and expand here.
Alex Bukoski, Public Information Officer
Walgreens sent this statement:
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 Albuquerque which is not able to 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.
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