Yet another Walgreens is preparing to close its doors in the Bay Area.
A Walgreens on International Blvd. in East Oakland is threatening to end it’s lease next week, citing high rent, low reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid and "shrinkage" - the retail term for shoplifting - as reasons for the early closure.
If the chain follows through with its threats, East Oakland would become a pharmacy desert.
"They would be shutting down one of the few pharmacies in East Oakland by next week," said City Council Member Treva Reid. "It is the only pharmacy in this district."
Seventy-three year old Willie Stevens, who lives at a senior housing facility across the street, told KCBS Radio that he and his fellow residents will be forced to take two buses to get to the next nearest drug store if the Walgreens closes, calling this a "real hardship."
"We’re begging Walgreens to give us a little time," he pleaded.
Reid is calling on the company to stay at least a few more months "to ensure a comparable plan that works for our community that they say they have value for," she said.
Walgreens officials did not respond to KCBS Radio’s request for a comment.
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