We went inside. All three Duane Readers working at the checkouts greeted us. Nearly in unison. Good morning! GOOD MORNING! Good MORNING!
There are three levels. Accessible via escalators.
...and despite the sign, there is more than one beauty magazine...
They still have MoneyGram. And the MoneyGram phone...
No sushi or smoothies or hair salons here like at 40 Wall Street, though...
Meanwhile. Outside. Duane Reade and CVS are already embroiled in an ugly battle of Who Can Out Cute the Other Chain Drug Store With Adorably Sad Valentine's Day Stuffed Animals in the Window™ ...
Gotta give it to CVS here in Round 1. Easter promises to be interesting.
...and the now-former Duane Reade around the corner has closed... though the shelves are still stocked...
18 comments:
Not sure how DR is gonna deliver the intended knockout blow to the CVS next door when DR stocks the same stuff and keeps the same hours but sells their stuff for about 25-30% more. Who knows, maybe they'll knock each other out.
@ken
The CVS has a much better toy department.
I had to go to that damn CVS to get something and the Duane Reade flyer girl was blocking my way and wouldn't let me pass shouting about getting five dollars off on something or other in the new store. I WAS SCARED.
@ EV
That's some business plan. Absolutely Play-Doh and Magic 8 Balls will deliver the knockout punches.
@Ken CVS shot itself in the foot with it's self-checkout. To make every customer learn how to use a cash register slows down the checkout process tremendously. The government should look into using it in place of water-boarding.
I cannot believe this place is three stories. I'm sort of scared, too.
Prediction: CVS will close. That place kinda sucks. They never have what I am looking for and the self-checkout area is always a clusterfuck of broken machines (I do feel for the CVS staff trying to contain that madness, they are a nice bunch). But overall I still prefer the lo-fi Rite Aid experience on 14th b/w A and B. Best nail polish selection in town. :)
Duane Reade sells fruit for 10 to 50% more in price than the fruitstand right outside in front
Speaking of CVS - CVS Manager Fatally Strangles Homeless Man for Shoplifting Toothpaste
You folks could practice what you preach and shop right on the next block in the Esquire Pharmacy on 1st Ave between 15th & 16th and support a community business. I'm sure there are still some privately owned drug stores in the EV as well.
No you can't buy sushi, cupcakes or smoothies there. There are other stores that sell that stuff.
Wow that story about the man being murdered over a small shoplift is really sad and a very scary look into what is happening in our corporate worshiping society today. Bystanders helped the manager kill a man over toothpaste.
On a side note, apparently these drugstore chains have a childish contest going on where common sense or serving the needs of the community play no part.
I have shopped at Esquire but they are closed by the time I get home.
I always enjoy when anons here get up on their high horses and talk to us like we are the cupcake zombies just because we have opinions about chain stores.
4:38, I would go to Esquire if I had any medical needs. But I take virtually no medications, none. I go to drugstores for makeup, hair products, and tampons, OK? And sorry to say, the chains have way more variety of that crap than the individually-run pharmacists do -- who I absolutely agree are important for pharmaceutical/medical needs.
I do not love the proliferation and side-by-side ubiquity of chains, but I'm also not going to apologize for liking Duane Reade's amazing variety of skincare. The saleswomen at Kiehl's are mean and drugstore stuff is just as effective.
That Rite Aid is awful. I shop there because it's on my block and I don't think any other nearby pharmacy is really worth supporting. I'd rather do Duane Reade, I guess; at least it has a local pedigree.
Someone tell me if I recollect correctly: was it a Gristedes on 14th St where the Duane Reade just moved from? And before that, were they briefly on the SW corner of 14 and 1st, now occupied by a Vitamin Shoppe, previously by a Love Pharmacy?
'tis a shame...woulda made a nice citibank.
@anon 12:26 - yes.
And before it was CVS it was McKays.
When you have Medicaid or Metroplus you are told where to go to fill your prescriptions. You either go there to get it or you don't get your medication. Welcome to freedom of choice..CVS OR DUANE READE.
Neither sells the clapper.
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