Walgreens is closing another store in the Midwest, and this news has left many customers very unhappy.
The store in Crest Hill, Illinois, roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Springfield, will close its doors soon. This comes just days after Walgreens in Fort Wayne, Indiana, announced its closure, giving shoppers only two weeks' notice.
Walgreens Crest Hill Store Closing Soon
The Walgreens store in Crest Hill, located at the busy intersection of Route 30 and Caton Farm Road, has been a familiar sight for a long time. However, customers are now discovering it won't be around much longer.
A store manager told Joliet Patch on Tuesday morning that the news was accurate. She announced that the Crest Hill Walgreens at 2379 Plainfield Road would close on April 10.
"I was really surprised and let down by this decision because the store seemed to be doing well," Mayor Ray Soliman said.
They think it was a decision made by the higher-ups at Walgreens. "We've tried to get in touch with the company many times but haven't gotten much information back," they added.
The store manager shared that Walgreens plans to transfer the employees from the closing store to other locations within the company.
The mayor shared that Walgreens has an agreement to use the property.
"With the drive-thru, this place could be great for a fast-food spot or a new shop in the future," Soliman said to the news source.
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"We hope Walgreens will think again about shutting this place down."
A customer said he was upset about the store closing, mentioning that it always seemed to have plenty of customers.
In recent news, Walgreens has closed all its VillageMD clinics in Florida. This move is part of the company's plan to cut costs by $1 billion. The announcement has left many customers worried about the possibility of other clinic closures.
Community Reacts to Walgreens Closure
"What will take its place? Another smoke shop or dollar store?" asked Brad Dent, a resident of Crest Hill, expressing his concern to the news source.
He fears the closure will tarnish Crest Hill's image, especially at one of the busiest crossroads. "I'm distraught with Walgreens for deciding to close. They had other options, like cutting prices on some goods, reducing the stock of items that don't sell, or hiring someone to make the store profitable. Instead, they decided to shut down, making me sad," Dent shared.
Dent also mentioned that he wrote an email to Walgreens to express how much the closure impacts the community but hasn't received a reply. "This affects more than just profits; it's about the lives of employees, customers, the community, and the taxes it brings in," he stated, adding, "Shame on you, Walgreens."
Similarly, customers at the Fort Wayne location were upset and puzzled by the swift closure.
Antoinette Francher-Donald, a community and equity advocate leader, pointed out the closure's impact on those reliant on the store for groceries. "Having a car makes a difference, but if you're using the bus, you can only carry so much," she noted.
Francher-Donald also voiced her concern for the area's well-being. "It's disheartening," she said. "It shows a lack of concern for the southeast side. I'm apprehensive."
Related Article: Walgreens Announces Closure of All VillageMD Clinics in Florida, Leaving Customers in Uncertainty
