Rochester: Mayor Evans expresses outrage, demands Walgreens halt planned closure of West Main Street store
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~ In a recent open letter to Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Mayor Malik D. Evans expressed his deep concern and outrage over the company's plans to close the Walgreens store located at 792 W. Main St. in the Bulls Head area of Rochester. The closure, which is part of a nationwide plan to shut down 2,500 stores, will leave the southwest quadrant of Rochester without a traditional drug store and severely limit access to essential pharmacy services for its residents.

Mayor Evans highlighted the fact that this closure comes less than two years after another Walgreens store in a similar neighborhood, located at 670 Thurston Road, was shut down. He emphasized that this pattern of disinvestment in densely populated, majority-minority neighborhoods is deeply troubling and goes against the core pillar of "Healthy Communities" that Walgreens claims to uphold.

The Mayor also pointed out that minority populations in these neighborhoods already face numerous healthcare challenges compounded by limited access to transportation. By closing down this store, Walgreens will further exacerbate these issues and deny a large segment of Rochester's minority population access to lifesaving medications and medical supplies.

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Furthermore, Mayor Evans drew attention to the ongoing investments in the Bulls Head Revitalization Project and the expansion of the St. Mary's Medical Campus. These investments include the construction of 800 new housing units, a new bank branch, a corporate headquarters and training center, and other commercial uses. The City anticipates that these developments will attract organic investment due to its proximity to Downtown Rochester – currently the fastest-growing district in the nine-county Rochester Combined Statistical Area with ongoing investments totaling over $1 billion.

As someone who spent more than 20 years as an officer in the banking industry, Mayor Evans also highlighted how this decision by Walgreens is not only socially irresponsible but also financially shortsighted. He expressed confidence that failing to recognize the potential of the Bulls Head Revitalization Project amid Rochester's growth and prosperity could cause investors to question the company's strategic judgment and long-term vision.

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In light of these concerns, Mayor Evans offered to personally meet with members of the Walgreens team to educate them about the positive developments in Rochester, including the Bulls Head project. He urged the company to honor its commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and adopt a strategic vision that ensures the long-term success and profitability of Walgreens.

In conclusion, Mayor Evans called on Walgreens to immediately halt any plans to close the store at 792 W. Main St. and reminded them that this decision would not only harm the people of Rochester but also have negative consequences for the company itself. He urged Walgreens to reconsider their actions and uphold their stated values of improving health equity and societal wellbeing in all communities they serve.

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