Mayor Malik D. Evans has demanded that Walgreens halt its planned closure of the store at 792 W. Main St. in Rochester’s Bulls Head area. In an open letter to Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Mayor Evans expressed strong opposition to the closure, which follows the shutdown of another Walgreens store at 670 Thurston Road less than two years ago.
“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,” Mayor Evans wrote. He added that these closures would create a “medical desert” in Rochester’s southwest quadrant, depriving residents of essential medical supplies and medications.
The Mayor highlighted the healthcare challenges faced by minority populations, which are often exacerbated by limited access to transportation. “To ignore these well documented challenges and deny such a large segment of Rochester’s minority population the same access to pharmacy services that Walgreens provides its customers in more affluent, majority-white areas… stands in stark contrast to the ideals expressed under the Walgreens Boots Alliance core pillar of ‘Healthy Communities: Improving Health Equity and Societal Wellbeing.’”
A representative from Walgreens informed the City on Thursday about plans to close the West Main Street store as part of a nationwide reduction involving 2,500 stores. Customers are expected to be redirected to another Walgreens location at 457 Lyell Ave., reducing the number of stores in Rochester to three and limiting pharmacy services in southwest Rochester.
Mayor Evans pointed out ongoing investments from the Bulls Head Revitalization Project and expansion plans for St. Mary’s Medical Campus as reasons for Walgreens to reconsider its decision. These investments include new housing units, commercial developments, and other infrastructure improvements totaling over $1 billion.
“As a mayor who spent more than 20 years as an officer in the banking industry, I must also note that this decision is as financially shortsighted as it is socially irresponsible,” Mayor Evans stated. He suggested that failing to recognize the potential growth from these projects could lead investors to question Walgreens’ strategic judgment.
Mayor Evans offered to meet with members of the Walgreens team to discuss these developments further. He urged Walgreens to cease all plans for closing the West Main Street store immediately and align their actions with their stated commitment to equitable healthcare delivery.
“For these reasons and more, I believe Walgreens’ decision… is as bad for Walgreens as it is for my community,” he concluded.
