CVS at 108th and Fort is closing

[greenbuilder]

Just received a text that the Pharmacy will be closing on 3/20 and the web site says this:
This CVS location is closing as of 2/23/2023 but the great value & convenience will continue.

[ChadJK]

Too much competition with Walgreens and Hy-Vee at the same intersection?

[greenbuilder]

Or too much inventory walking out the door! I've witnessed this happen a couple times people running out the door stealing what ever they could grab!

[lpgforms]

More likely the shortage of pharmacists is a big part of the problem

[Brad]

More likely the shortage of pharmacists is a big part of the problem

Interest. So they other day I refilled my Rx at Walgreens and instead of a few hours, it was ready a day later. I got to pick it up and its in completely different packaging (Pill bottle and bag). I said "What's going on with all this?" and the lady at the counter said "Oh, this Rx was filled in Kansas City and shipped to our store".

[greenbuilder]

Stopped in there tonight to move my prescriptions to a different CVS and was told they lost their lease. So how long will this building sit empty??

[ChadJK]

Stopped in there tonight to move my prescriptions to a different CVS and was told they lost their lease.

I'm too much of a cynic to believe it when I hear reasons like that. I can totally picture the store manager telling the staff, "If anyone asks why we're closing, then just tell them we lost our lease." In reality, it's shrinkage, or staffing, or not meeting bottom-line goals (or a combination). Large chains will sometimes close locations not because they're not profitable, but because they're not profitable enough. It could legitimately be the lease thing, but like I said, I'm just too much of a cynic to ever accept that. I probably need professional help. lol

[Brad]

Stopped in there tonight to move my prescriptions to a different CVS and was told they lost their lease.

I'm too much of a cynic to believe it when I hear reasons like that. I can totally picture the store manager telling the staff, "If anyone asks why we're closing, then just tell them we lost our lease."

It was built in 2009, 14 years ago. Possible they had a 15 year lease?

Also, the building was sold last summer. A company in New York sold it to a company in Kansas in July 2022.

[Greg S]

More likely the shortage of pharmacists is a big part of the problem

And CVS took over all the pharmacies in Targets.

Greg

[jessep28]

I switched to an independent place last fall, and have been very happy so far. The hours kinda stink considering my work schedule, but my copays are the same, and they also have an app to order refills.

I really enjoy no longer being stuck in line behind someone screaming at the pharmacy staff, or waiting because the car at the drive-thru wants a gallon of milk with their Rx pickup, etc.

[bbinks]

More likely the shortage of pharmacists is a big part of the problem

Not to change the subject, but the medical marijuana bill currently in the legislature has a stipulation that any dispensery would have to have a pharmacist. How are they planning to accomplish this when there already is a shortage of pharmacists?

[jessep28]

More likely the shortage of pharmacists is a big part of the problem

Not to change the subject, but the medical marijuana bill currently in the legislature has a stipulation that any dispensery would have to have a pharmacist. How are they planning to accomplish this when there already is a shortage of pharmacists?

There's not a shortage of pharmacists. The issue is that retail pharmacy has become such an unbearable place to work, the big chains can't recruit, and turnover is high. Why would anyone want to work at a CVS/Walgreens/Walmart where you're getting screamed at all day, the phones don't stop ringing, dozens of vaccine appointments, COVID tests, other added services corporate is mandating, dealing with insurance companies, doctors offices, etc. And somehow among all that, you're supposed to safety dispense and verify hundreds of prescriptions every day.

[greenbuilder]

Well just got another text saying the 90th and Blondo pharmacy will be closing on 8/15. What's up with CVS?

[ChadJK]

Well just got another text saying the 90th and Blondo pharmacy will be closing on 8/15. What's up with CVS?

I'm guessing that now that they're in Target they don't need as many stand-alone CVS buildings. That, and the number of people switching to having their prescriptions delivered.

[Greg S]

Well just got another text saying the 90th and Blondo pharmacy will be closing on 8/15. What's up with CVS?

I'm guessing that now that they're in Target they don't need as many stand-alone CVS buildings. That, and the number of people switching to having their prescriptions delivered.

Yeah we use CVS and pick up most of our stuff at a Target location.

I agree on the delivery too. Walgreens announced this week they are closing over 150 locations:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/20 ... 375757007/

[nebugeater]

Well just got another text saying the 90th and Blondo pharmacy will be closing on 8/15. What's up with CVS?

I'm guessing that now that they're in Target they don't need as many stand-alone CVS buildings. That, and the number of people switching to having their prescriptions delivered.

Yeah we use CVS and pick up most of our stuff at a Target location.

I agree on the delivery too. Walgreens announced this week they are closing over 150 locations:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/20 ... 375757007/

Probably where they have stores across the street from each other!

[ChadJK]

Many of them are moving to centralized pharmacies too. If it's a one-off medication then you get it filled locally. If it's a maintenance med that you're going to be taking for the foreseeable future and the refills are predictable then they're filled at a centralized pharmacy and trucked to the local pharmacies (or delivered directly to customers). Many of the chain pharmacies have put sign informing customers their prescriptions may be filled at a centralized pharmacy. I know Walgreens and Hy-Vee have signs to that effect. You can usually tell which ones are filled off-site as the little paper bag they put the pill bottle in is a different color (e.g. brown vs. white).

Honestly, this job is ripe for automation. Granted a lot of people aren't comfortable with that when it comes to healthcare. However, dispensing x number of pills into a container and running an algorithm to see if there's any conflicts with other meds is really pretty simple. Retail pharmacies could almost just be vending machines at this point. 90% of discussion at the pharmacy counter isn't about medication. It's about insurance and cost and perhaps a miscommunication about when the prescription would be ready. You don't need a pharmacist or pharmacy tech for that.

[Brad]

You can usually tell which ones are filled off-site as the little paper bag they put the pill bottle in is a different color (e.g. brown vs. white).

Or in Walgreens case, its in a clear plastic bag and the pill bottle is about 10 times larger than it should be! Gee, thanks for putting my 1 table spoon worth of pills in a 2 liter bottle...

[nativeomahan]

Yes I have noticed the same thing with some of my prescriptions from Walgreens, Brad. I think I heard they are being filled in Kansas City then trucked here.

[ChadJK]

I think I heard they are being filled in Kansas City then trucked here.

Hy-Vee told me they have two centralized pharmacies. One in Des Moines and one in Sarpy County (in that industrial area between 144th & 156th south of Highway 370).

[Busguy2010]

I've been inside a CVS a total of two times in my life. They're relatively new to Omaha and I never found them to be useful, personally. I'm more concerned with what would happen with the buildings. I think there's only a handful of standalone CVS in Omaha, but wouldn't want them all sitting empty, especially the 49th street location. I wonder what would be a good fit for them to become.

[nativeomahan]

Both Walgreens and CVS are contracting the number of their bricks and mortar stores. CVS are located inside all Targets besides their stand alone stores.

[Padre]

The CVS at 90th and Blondo is closed and there’s a dumpster in front of it.

[TransitOriented]

I've been inside a CVS a total of two times in my life. They're relatively new to Omaha and I never found them to be useful, personally. I'm more concerned with what would happen with the buildings. I think there's only a handful of standalone CVS in Omaha, but wouldn't want them all sitting empty, especially the 49th street location. I wonder what would be a good fit for them to become.

You could build a couple of nice houses.