Walgreens to Close Another Store in St. Louis Amid Ongoing Challenges

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) — Walgreens is set to close its Kingshighway and Natural Bridge Road location permanently on March 27, following a text notification sent to customers on Monday. This closure adds to the growing list of Walgreens stores shutting down in the city as the corporation grapples with challenges in maintaining its viability.

Local resident Clara Holmes, who has frequented the store for over a decade, expressed her sorrow over the news. “I’m about to cry… this right here is a good spot… where are the other Walgreens around here?” she said, highlighting her concern for herself and her neighbors.

Holmes is particularly worried about the impact on community members without transportation. “The loss is going to be so big. The people right here who don’t have any transportation… it’s sad,” she noted.

In the wake of Walgreens’ closures, local pharmacies are experiencing an uptick in business. Dr. Tyler Taylor, owner of St. Louis Hills Pharmacy, reported significant growth in clientele. “We have seen a significant increase in business because there are less pharmacies available,” he said.

Both Walgreens and CVS have announced plans to close select locations in recent years, causing customers to seek alternatives. Local establishments, including St. Louis Hills Pharmacy and GreaterHealth Pharmacy in the city’s West End, are receiving more traffic. “We have seen a lot of patients wanting to transfer to our pharmacy, especially the Medicaid patients,” said Kenneth Powell, chief pharmacist at GreaterHealth.

Despite the additional business, local pharmacies face their own challenges. Taylor emphasized their commitment to fill prescriptions, even at a financial loss. “We are obligated to fill all prescriptions as is. So, even if we lose money filling it, we are obligated to do so,” he stated.

Both pharmacies remain dedicated to supporting the community. Powell affirmed, “We’re a delivery-first pharmacy, so pretty much 90% of our patients utilize delivery services. They can always expect a kind face, they know the drivers, they know the team members, and it’s something they can count on every month.”