Jackson Heights Life

I learned this will be gone by next week.  The Rite Aid's on 82nd St & 83rd/37th will both remain open.

Given the fact that the former bank site on 83rd/37th has been closed for about three years now, I hope history doesn't repeat itself here.

I wish Woolworth's were still around!

Ahhh, so do I. I vividly remember their food counter with the ladies in hair nets, and the obligatory potato chips with everything. But the thing I remember best, was my Dad taking my sister and me there for hot chocolate. It was such a treat.

::oh, to be young and enjoy all new experiences again::

Okay, so now there will only be 8 drug stores in the neighborhood.  But please not another .99 store in its place please!

A Barnes & Noble would be wonderful and very useful.. Other than Bay Terrace, Union Tpke near Utopia Pkwy (St John's area) and Forest Hills, Austin ST, Queens really lacks B & N. These are light immigrant areas ( Especially Bay Terrace) I hope this isn't a factor in determining the existence of one because all people could definitely benefit from this intitution.

I'm very sad to see any Duane Reade go, but the store was terribly managed, with consistently dirty floors and poorly stocked shelves.  Perhaps a CVS will replace it.  I wish Woolworth's were still around!

I'm actually sad to see this Duane Reade go as I've had much better luck finding things here than any of the other drug stores nearby (all of which, especially the Rite Aids seem to consistently be out/not carry anything I want - the one on Northern in the mid-80s astonishes me by being huge and having NO inventory).  Much more importantly, though, I've been impressed with the workers at the pharmacy at the 82nd Duane Reade.  Fast, responsive, on top of things (actually CALLING me to tell me when they're having trouble refilling a prescription!), and nice - especially compared to any other Duane Reades I've been to in other parts of the city.  And convenient for me as they're on my way to the 82nd street subway stop, plus Duane Reade bought my loyalty years ago with their DR Card.  I usually bemoan the Duane-Reade-ification of NYC, but I'm really disappointed this one is closing.

On that note, any recommendations for pharmacies in the neighborhood, preferably in the 80s, independent or chain?  Pharmacies that allow you to call in for refills, have things on hand, and are fast, responsive, nice, etc.?

picked up a prescription today and got a little more info from store employees:

The employees were told New Year's Eve that the store would be closing this Tuesday.  None of them are losing their jobs but they will have to transfer to other stores.  The reason the store is closing is that the rent was too high.  He said it was $400,000 per year and I'm not sure if this was the old rent or what the rent would have been if they had re-signed the lease.

All prescriptions will automatically be transferred to the Rite Aid across the street.   The Rite Aid bought the rights to these presciptions.  Of course you have the right to transfer them away from Rite Aid to the place of your choice, but the initial transfer is automatic.

There are no signs anywhere in the store that the closing is imminent (3 days!) and the employees seemed a little embarrassed about it - I am not entirely sure what this is about.

and I apologize if any of this info is wrong - this is what I was told when I was there but may or may not be totally accurate.

The lines that form at Frank's Pharmacy can be daunting.  As a result, I steer clear from there.  I find Maram more tolerable, but have to admit that the new Walgreens on Northern Blvd. and 78th is a lot more convenient for me, especially since they offer 24 hour service.

Thanks for the info shelby. The increase in rent was the reason I was given for the closure as well. If the price is correct, $400,000, this is ridiculous. Capitalism and getting a return on real estate investment is one thing, but at what cost? Pricing a commercial property so absurdly high that it remains empty, e.g. the North Fork location, and if other businesses fall, could the area become blighted? The greed of these landlords is out of control. May be a bit dramatic, but hasn't this happened in other neighborhoods?

If a such a large, chain store as Duane Reade opts out of this lease, who else can can afford it?! A Barnes and Noble sounds great, but I know many people have contacted them about the untapped market here, but they've said no. Possibly understandable since the average salary in this area is below $50,000.

I'm trying not to see this closure as an omen for other businesses falling in line. But what can we do as residents of this neighborhood?