CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- CVS said it’s closing two stores in Chicago, one on the North Side and one on the South Side, because they are “under-performing.” And if the South Side location closes, as expected this Friday, the local alderman is calling for a boycott.
A number of seniors stood with Alderman David Moore outside the CVS at 79th and Halsted, including Juanita Love and Betty Swanson, both block club presidents.
"This is a great hurt to us. They come here. I come here," one said.
"So we are here asking them to rethink this," said the other.
Alderman Moore said he learned about the closure from one of those ladies, and he said CVS has been unresponsive, refusing to speak with him about the closure and refusing to meet with local residents.
He said if they don’t have a change of heart, CVS should be boycotted.
"So that's what we are going to do," Moore said. “If you hurt us, we’re going to hurt you and your pockets."
"79th Street is the busiest bus line in the entire CTA system, a very densely populated community and yet here is a national retailer that has decided to close," Nelson said.
He said it was bad enough to recently have Bank of America close a branch nearby.
CVS said in a statement, "We have made the difficult business decision to close stores and we understand the disappointment of our neighbors and customers."
The other Chicago store that’s closing is on the 4700 block of North Milwaukee.