2 neighborhood Duane Reade locations are closing this week

After four years in business, the Duane Reade by Walgreens outpost on Avenue D at Houston (officially 310 E. Second St. for some reason) is closing today (Nov. 6) here in the retail space of the Adele residential complex.



In addition, the Duane Reade on First Avenue just north of 14th Street is also shutting down after today. DR relocated here from around the corner on 14th Street in 2013 ... setting up their drug store right next door to a CVS.


[1st Avenue DR via Steven]

In August, Walgreens announced that it was shutting 200 stores nationwide to slash costs by a $1.5 billion.

Some background via CBS:

The Deerfield, Ill.-based company operates over 18,000 stores worldwide, including the Duane Reade pharmacies around New York City. Walgreens acquired the familiar New York pharmacy chain in 2010.

Walgreens also acquired almost 2,000 Rite Aid stores in a $17.2 billion deal last year.

In June Walgreens reported a 24 percent decline in quarterly net income and predicted that annual earnings would be roughly flat with the prior year. Walgreens has been hit by challenges including reimbursement cuts and lower price increases for branded drugs.

According to published reports, there are 91 Duane Reade locations in NYC, down from 253 less than 10 years ago, when people figured a Duane Reade would be the new tenant in any newly vacated retail space.

Around here, you can still find a Duane Reade on Avenue B and Second Street, 10th Street and Third Avenue, Third Avenue and 14th Street, and Union Square.

Thanks to @artisanmatters for the Avenue D tip! And to dwg for the First Avenue scoop!

Checking in on the Duane Reade coming soon to the Adele's retail space on Avenue D

We spotted the Duane Reade coming soon signs last July here in the retail space at the new Adele residential complex on Avenue D and East Houston. (Officially 310 E. Second St.)

Anyway, work continues on the space… which will not be just a Duane Reade but a Duane Reade by Walgreens… (All new Duane Reades will have this co-branding.)



The location will also include a Photo Department…



As previously noted, a Duane Reade might be needed on Avenue D… given that the Rite Aid between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street will close to make way for the 12-story, mixed-used apartment building going up at the address.

The Adele has a shuttle van

[Via Streeteasy]

The Adele is the new luxury 12-story residential building on East Houston and Avenue D (technically 310 E. Second St.).

Living this far east … well, you have some bus options (M9, M22 and the M14D) … or else face a short walk to the F … or maybe the 6 at Bleecker/Lafayette.

The distance from a subway line might be a deterrent for a potential tenant. Which is why, perhaps, there have been multiple sightings of an alleged Adele shuttle van in recent weeks.

Said one EVG reader, who has been keeping tabs: "I just saw the Adele subway shuttle again. Pretty sure that's what it is. The van was filled with seats but no people driving east on Bleecker. After a drop off at Broadway-Lafayette I presume. Oy vey. That's so Trump Plaza of them."

And finally Dave on 7th recently caught the Adele van in action...



A shuttle service isn't listed under the Adele's amenities on its website… and the van doesn't offer any further explanation about the Adele's puzzling marketing slogan: "In a city where everyone is always going somewhere, YOU'LL ALREADY BE HERE."

Checking out the Adele's roof deck

[EVG file photo from April]

For the past two years or so we've been looking at the Adele, the 12-story mixed-used apartment building now renting at East Houston and Avenue D.

A few of the listings mention the roof deck … to date, though, we've only seen the OMG rendering…



We spotted a listing for a two-bedroom unit ($5,133) that includes photos of the roof deck … no pool, but nice city views…







And the "grass" is definitely greener on the roof than it is on the sidewalk outside the Adele.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Adele joins The Robyn in pop star-friendly East Village corridor

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

Familiar business opening in The Adele's retail space on Avenue D and East Houston Street

The Adele's mini lawn not looking so good

Just the other day we noted the arrival of mini plots of grass outside the Adele, the new 12-story, mixed-used apartment building at East Houston and Avenue D.

And after just a week, the wee pads grass is pretty much dead.


[Photo by Goggla]

Anyway, welcome to your new home!

At the Adele, the grass is greener on the, oh forget it

We were walking by the Adele, the new 12-story, mixed-used apartment building at East Houston and Avenue D ... and noticed there are now several mini plots of grass on The East Houston/Second Street (south!) side of the complex.

A nice touch, though it seems a little lost here. Or maybe the Adele will have a KanJam league for residents.

Familiar business opening in The Adele's retail space on Avenue D and East Houston Street

Just last week we learned that the new 12-story, mixed-used apartment building at East Houston and Avenue D will be known as The Adele.

And now, signs are up announcing The Adele's retail tenant…



Actually a Duane Reade will be needed on Avenue D… given that the Rite Aid between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street will likely close in the coming months to make way for another 12-story, mixed-used apartment building. Perhaps that retail space will yield a Duane Reade too.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Adele joins The Robyn in pop star-friendly East Village corridor

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

The Adele joins The Robyn in pop star-friendly East Village corridor

[EVG file photo from April]

Well, it turns out that Alphabet Plaza, the 12-story mixed-used apartment building going up at East Houston and Avenue D, is actually going by a different name now. (Early reports about the development referred to it as Alphabet Plaza.)

Yesterday, workers dropped a banner on the side of the building. Say hello to The Adele!





The banner lists a website, though at this point, it's just a placeholder … noting that "luxury rentals" will be coming this summer. There isn't any pricing yet.

And this appears to be The Adele's slogan:

"In a city where everyone is always going somewhere, you’ll already be there."

While wrapping your head around that, here are some of the building's previously reported amenities, such as a 24-hour doorman, valet services (laundry drop-off and pick-up), fitness center, residents lounge, landscaped roof decks (where you can watch the Skyfall?) and bike storage. In total, there will be 135 units here, 30 of them affordable.

The homage to a successful pop singer can't be ignored. So now we have The Adele, named maybe for the English singer-songwriter, joining another neighboring new building The Robyn, named maybe for the Swedish pop star, at 316 E. Third St. Maybe they'll be a push for The Madonna for old time's sake one of these days?

[Adele photos via @DavidCaplanNYC]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: 12th-story 'Alphabet Plaza' in the works for Second Street and Avenue D

Alphabet Plaza ready to rise on Avenue D

Alphabet Plaza is rising on East Houston and Avenue D

Easy as...: Alphabet Plaza makes first appearance above ground

Here are details on applying for one of the 30 affordable units in Alphabet Plaza