Sheepshead Bay Gets Plastered In Walgreens

When Walgreens opened its 7,000th storefront right here in Sheepshead Bay, many residents were elated to see the national chain making a push into our area. Similar anticipation surrounds the opening of their Bragg Street and Avenue U location, slated for March.

But few would’ve guessed that just months later a business deal might lead to the closing of several area locations of pharmacy chains.

It was announced this morning that Walgreens purchased the New York City-based Duane Reade franchise for $1.1 billion.

For Sheepshead Bay, the deal means a handful of redundant locations may be closed. The turn of events could leave dozens of Sheepshead Bay residents unemployed, and will leave several large commercial lots empty during an economic recession.

The map below shows the current locations of Walgreens and Duane Reade storefronts in the Sheepshead Bay/Brighton Beach/Marine Park/Midwood area. Walgreens has nine locations (including the unopened Bragg Street store) marked in blue. Duane Reade has ten locations marked in green.

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While the Brighton Beach and southern portion of Sheepshead Bay appear to be clear of duplicity, areas to the north have quite a few overlapping spots – including the newly-built Bragg Street Walgreens.

On Kings Highway, Duane Reade faces off with Walgreens on opposite corners of the same intersection, and there are two more Duane Reades just blocks away. On Avenue J, they’re also placed across the street from each other.

On Avenue U, Walgreens competes with Duane Reade near the Q train station, as well as between Nostrand Avenue and Gerritsen Avenue, and again near Kings Plaza.

Walgreens has not said whether they’ll be closing redundant locations, but it’s safe to assume that at least some will close.