Chicago Walgreens store closing soon in South Shore, community holds meeting on new business options

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Walgreens is getting ready to close on Chicago’s South Side.

During a well-attended community meeting held on Wednesday, residents of South Shore voiced their worries about the potential lack of pharmacies in the area. Following the announcement of the closure of a Walgreens store on February 27, local community leaders are mobilizing to address this concern promptly.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The South Shore Chamber of Commerce organized a public gathering on Wednesday evening at the Bryn Mawr Community Church to initiate discussions on how to handle the vacancy at 7109 South Jeffery Boulevard.

The South Shore community is demanding answers as another retailer is leaving the community.

Last month, Walgreens announced it will close five locations by the end of February, including the location at 71st and Jeffrey.

READ MORE | 5 Walgreens stores closing on Chicago’s South, West sides: ‘We need it in our communities’

“While acknowledging the perspective of the retailers, it is crucial to recognize the impact on our community, which is already facing numerous challenges,” expressed Tonya Morgan, a resident of South Shore.

Walgreens said this is part of a bigger plan to close 1,200 stores nationwide over the next three years. The closures locally are a part of that.

Walgreens shared the following statement with ABC7:

“Our retail pharmacy business is central to our go-forward business strategy. However, increased regulatory and reimbursement pressures are weighing on our ability to cover the costs associated with rent, staffing, and supply needs. It is never an easy decision to close a store. We know that our stores are important to the communities that we serve, and therefore do everything possible to improve the store performance. When closures are necessary, like those here in Chicago, we will work in partnership with community stakeholders to minimize customer disruptions. We intend to redeploy the majority of our team members from these stores.”

“I was shocked but not surprised,” 5th Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy said. “I was shocked that after immediately closing 79th, they’d have audacity to come back two months later and were closing this store too.”

Another hurdle that comes with the closure is the fact that Walgreens has a lease at 71st and Jeffrey through 2031, giving them full control over what will fill the vacant space.

“I don’t want to see another boarded up, dark building sitting in this community for five years,” Morgan said.

Residents said they’re used to seeing vacant spaces filled with stores that don’t actually service the community.

Wednesday’s meeting also gave people the opportunity to voice their opinion of what they want to see at the location.

“I would like to see the 71st Street corridor look like the 53rd Street corridor in Hyde Park,” South Shore resident Claude Gibson said. “Eateries, restaurants, shops… mom and pops… chain stores are fine as well.”

Walgreens said it plans to work with community leaders to figure out the next steps, and they also plan to move employees to other locations.

There will be 118 Walgreens pharmacy and/or retail locations in Chicago after the latest closures, the company said.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Tennessee authorities release body camera video of traffic stop involving Kilmar Abrego-Garcia

Tennessee officials unveil footage from police body camera during Kilmar Abrego-Garcia’s traffic stop.

Title: Tennessee Officials Share Body Camera Footage of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia’s Traffic Stop…
Buckingham Palace releases statement after Prince Harry's bombshell interview

Buckingham Palace responds to Prince Harry’s revealing interview

After Prince Harry’s impactful BBC interview, Buckingham Palace has issued a response…
Gun training courses experience surge in sign ups: 'People don't want to be the victim anymore'

Increase in enrollment for gun training courses: Many are taking action to protect themselves

Increased crime rates, the movement to reduce funding for police departments, and…
Prince Andrew's supporters gave us access to his private papers to prove his innocence. It backfired on them badly, as RICHARD PENDLEBURY's forensic investigation shows...

Prince Andrew’s backers provided his private documents to demonstrate his innocence, but it resulted in negative consequences when analyzed by RICHARD PENDLEBURY.

In the unusually deserted and silent corporate office, a very familiar, fruity…
Jimmy Kimmel Sees Elon Musk’s Future After Leaving DOGE: He Can “Go Back To Impregnating Women”

Jimmy Kimmel comments on Elon Musk’s future post-DOGE, suggesting he may focus on fathering children.

Elon Musk, known as President Donald Trump‘s right-hand man, is reportedly reducing…
Prince Harry LOSES appeal in his battle for full taxpayer-funded police protection when visiting the UK leaving him facing £1.5m legal bill

Prince Harry’s appeal is unsuccessful in his fight for complete taxpayer-funded police safety during visits to the UK, leading to him having to pay a £1.5 million legal bill.

Prince Harry’s legal battle for taxpayer-funded armed police bodyguards in the UK…
‘9-1-1’ Has Fans In A State Of Emergency Wondering If Bobby Nash Dies Or…Is Buried Alive?!

Bobby Nash from ‘9-1-1’ Had a Sad Funeral – 10 Reasons Why He Could Still Be Alive.

Two weeks have passed since the shocking death of fearless fire captain…
Kelsey Grammar reveals sister Karen's brutal final moments after rape and 42 stab wounds by spree killer

Kelsey Grammar shares details of sister Karen’s tragic end following assault and multiple stab wounds by serial killer

In his latest memoir, Kelsey Grammer courageously shares the heartbreaking story of…
Republican senators move to block Somalia terror funding until allies pay 'fair share'

Republican Senators Push for Somalia Terror Funding Block Until Allies Contribute Fair Share

Exclusive to Fox News: Fox News Digital has discovered that the United…
Karoline Leavitt gives behind-the-scenes tour of White House with surprise appearance from A-list actor who dissed Trump

Karoline Leavitt offers a sneak peek inside the White House, with an unexpected visit from a famous actor who criticized Trump.

An unexpected famous person, who has been openly critical of President Donald…
Tour van crash near Yellowstone National Park leaves 7 dead, police say

7 people die in tour van accident close to Yellowstone National Park, according to authorities

Seven people have died after a tour van and pickup truck collided…
RFK Jr claims US is behind sinister program once mocked as conspiracy theory... and vows to end it

RFK Jr alleges that the US is involved in a secretive program once dismissed as a conspiracy theory and pledges to put an end to it

Once dismissed as a conspiracy theory, the Trump Administration is now vowing…