Rite Aid paints over a memorial on Avenue D

In late September, friends of 22-year-old Makever “Keba” Brown created a memorial for him along the wall of Rite Aid on Avenue D...

On Sept. 13, Brown was struck and killed on the FDR during a police pursuit, as DNAinfo reported.

Several readers have since pointed out that Rite Aid has painted over the tributes...

High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play

Looks like Revival Week continues. (For example, there's the hotel on the Bowery and Orchard Street back in action on long-dormant sites.)

Meanwhile, there's activity again at the long-dormant site at 75 First Avenue next to the Rite Aid on East Fifth Street. Workers repaired and painted the plywood here...

There's also a new permit on file.

When we last looked in on this development, DOB permits noted that a 14-story, 30-unit condo/apartment building was in the works. Thomas O'Hara was listed as the architect. According to his site:

This cutting edge design with angled balconies and glass facade is designed to attract young cutting edge crowed of the east village.

Here's what it was intended to look like:



HOWEVER, O'Hara is no longer listed as the architect. According to permits, the site is still owned by Ozymandius Realty on West 14th Street. 75 First Avenue is listed under the company's current development projects, though there isn't further information about plans.

So this is one to keep an eye on. There will be a 14-story building of some kind here. And will this revive those Rite-Aid-is-closing rumors?

Tag sale at Rite Aid?

First Avenue and Fifth Street via EV Grieve contributor Bobby Williams.

Rite Aid looking forward to spring

Because then the druggery on First Avenue and Fifth Street won't have to hear about snowy or icy sidewalks from residents... one of whom sent a note this afternoon describing an icy patch on the Fifth Street side of the shop...

When I arrived later, the walk was clear ...

... though the crew could use a little help with salt distribution...

Rite Aid sidewalk showing signs of improvement

We're continuing to monitor the sidewalk situation outside Rite Aid on First Avenue and Fifth Street... after several complaints, someone shoveled the Fifth Street side of the store...

Last night!

This afternoon!

First Avenue was still a little slick...

And thanks (again!) to @jorgeortiz85 for this shot this evening...

Actually, Rite Aid's sidewalks are still really treacherous

Last evening, we noted that Rite Aid on First Avenue and Fifth Street had finally started shoveling their thundersnow-filled sidewalks...

However, a reader noted early this morning that they "have not touched the 5th St side of the building! And two stacks of crates have fallen or been knocked into the path, so it's even worse."

Thanks to @jorgeortiz85 for these shots a little earlier today ... the crates have been removed, but there are still big chunks of ice and snow — and no clear path.

Meanwhile, on the First Avenue side... Per reader MagicD:

"A bad job of shoveling — right now (11am) the front of the store has a slushy slippery little path, and the side of the store isn't shoveled at all — the snow is just packed down. some poor guys are trying to roll boxes along it and having a terrible time."

Rite Aid finally shoveling their sidewalks

Earlier, a resident who lives and works near the Rite Aid at First Avenue and Fifth Street told us that the drug store never shovels their sidewalks... creating treacherous footing for shoppers...

However, around 5, we got word that Rite Aid dispatched three men to clear the sidewalk...

The first shot is from EV Grieve reader Brian...

And ...

...thought they haven't gotten around to the Fifth Street side just yet...

First Avenue Rite Aid still hasn't shoveled their sidewalk

From the EV Grieve inbox...

I live on 1st Ave & work on 5th St between 1-2. The Rite Aid on the corner of 5th St & 1st, 81 First Ave, has not shoveled their sidewalk — this happens every single time it snows. I've called the store, called the district manager, tried to get a message higher up than that. I've asked the precinct to say something. I'm sick of this & it's obviously a danger.

Rite Aid sets the bar for Dec. 25

On 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Starting rumors: Last days of Rite Aid on First Avenue?

So have you been in the Rite Aid on First Avenue at Fifth Street lately? I haven't, because a trip inside just doesn't ruin your day, it ruins your entire month, at times. Maybe it's the lone cashier talking on her cell phone while trying to check out the 37 people waiting in line, some of whom always seem to be jawing at each other for some unknown transgressions. (Like cutting in line! Oh, those residents with the carts! Watch out!)

Anyway, I just bravely entered the place. And it's so picked over! The shelves are pretty empty! No restocking after stockpiling for Earl?







Anyway, to the PURE speculation: So I'm curious if this store is closing. Rite Aid reported a $208.4 million loss for the fiscal quarter that ended on Feb. 27 — the 11th straight losing quarter. According to published reports, the chain is shuttering 80 stores this year. As you may recall, Rite Aid closed on Seventh Avenue south of 14th Street last year.

Given this valuable chunk of real estate for a one-level building.... Perhaps the plans for the fancy condo will be revived without the bothersome drug store next door....



Previously on EV Grieve:
Sagging plywood offers glimpse of stalled 14-story condo on First Avenue

Shocker: A Rite Aid is closing

Rite Aid's sign gets more comical

On 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Shocker: A Rite Aid is closing

Whoa. This is an unusual site. On Seventh Avenue just below 14th Street. I'm used to seeing, "Coming soon: Rite Aid/Duane Reade/Etc."



Given the sale, I thought I'd check it out... get a few basics (toothpaste, etc.) on the cheap. Maybe some kitsch? Well. Picked over isn't quite the right phrase. It was as if I was transported to the Warehouse of Shit No One Would Ever Buy at Rite Aid's Camp Hill, Pa., home office.

Like what, you ask?












I didn't buy anything. I asked the cashier why the store was closing, likely the 10,000th time that he had been asked this question this past weekend. "Business decision." Hmm.

Meanwhile, the Duane Reade down the block is already cherry-picking Rite Aid's old customers. (Never mind that there's a Rite Aid on Sixth Avenue and 13th Street...and Ninth Avenue and 22nd and Eighth Avenue and 24th and...)

A WTF storefront

Good old Rite Aid...both the location on 14th Street near the Blarney Cove and on First Avenue at Fifth Street have the same storefront...some sort of wellness theme...where we get a good view of some yuppie's armpit at sunrise...



and some yunnie honey's butt-revealing running shorts...



It's like American Apparel as reimagined by David Zinczenko.

Drug store celebrity exit wars

Duade Reade has Mario Lopez gracing its exits (and disguising the store's security system). Not to be outdone, Rite Aid (at least the one on 14th Street between Avenues A and B) wants us to smell like David Beckham.