“Walgreens are like cancer on every corner.” Those strong words were uttered the first time I visited Dayton, Ohio by Dave Carey when he proclaimed his dislike of the chain store which was becoming very prevalent at that time. At the time I thought him rather overdramatic, but now I am beginning to see his point. It’s really crazy – it seems as if everywhere there is a CVS, directly across the street (or at least right down the road) will be a Walgreens. It’s uncanny. In Elkhart, a new CVS opened in front of Kroger (which also has a large pharmacy). Across the street Walgreens is now going up. I was at Martin’s Supermarket (also building their own pharmacy) and noticed a CVS being constructed across the street. I commented to Robert that it would not surprise me if Walgreens built across the street from CVS. So on my way to Starbucks this morning, what do I see? A big sign across the street from CVS announcing “Walgreens Coming Soon.” Unbelievable! It is the same exact store as CVS. I know we Americans like our choices and all, but I am beginning to see the validity in Dave’s comment. Do we need this many pharmacies so close together? Either we are becoming so dependent on drugs and convenience or we are just lazy. Imagine…If we had fewer pharmacies and fast food restaurants and more Farmers Markets full of fresh vegetables and fruit and healthy living options, I would wager that the overall health of the area would change. Just a thought.
Funny you even mentioned it in the post itself….Even if there were 10,000 more Walgreens going up today, it would still be about 3 million stores/units behind Starbucks. I have yet to see, like a McDonalds, more than one Starbucks go out of business. So, what does that say about our country? I would much prefer a place that carries remedies for colds, food, and nice hair bracelets (lol) than some caffeine/fat induced coping mechanisms.lol Yes, I am laughing at my own comments.LOL I take after my Pops.
I’ll agree that the amount of Starbucks is fairly ridiculous. In fact I did post on that earlier with a humorous image here.
haha I did see that….honestly, living in the city here it really isn’t that far off from the picture….when we were in Chicago two weeks ago, it was the same thing….I literally was shocked at how many there were and how close…
wonderboX for mayor!!!
Dayton, Ohio…ahh, the homeland.
I love your line, “Either we are becoming so dependent on drugs and convenience or we are just lazy.” I think it’s because we are lazy that we have become so dependent on drugs. Although while I was at the laundromat yesterday I did see the beginnings of a report on the rising gas prices helping Americans with weight loss. We’ll see. I would also like to point out that although in the city there may seem to be a surplus of Starbucks, I can never seem to find one on the Highway between Osceola and Kansas City. Why is that? I’m also pretty impressed with how well they’ve done over the years despite their signs being so hard to find while driving.
I heard on the radio the other day that your house is worth more if you are located near a starbucks. I thought it was the most rediculous thing ever!!! Anyway, thats my two cents!!!
I have to agree with you on the drug store war thing. Although it’s not just drug store’s that do that. It’s not often you see a Burger King without a McDonalds near by. Wal-Mart and Meijer’s had the same thing going.
Personally I have found Walgreen’s to be cheaper, but with all the new stores to pay for their prices may go up too. Either that or the two companies will start lowering prices to entice customers.
I don’t think it’s always laziness. I think we as a society are too busy. We are packing so much into every day that we no longer have time to take care of ourselves properly. I suppose I could get into a whole rant about this, but since it’s not my blog; I won’t! lol
Josh, you have eloquently captured in words what many think, but don’t usually write or talk about! Kudos to you! 😀
Tammy, I agree with you on full schedules!
I just wanted to add that I found it humorous when Kroger’s added a drive-thru window to their pharmacy after the Walgreen’s started construction.
I for one… go to Walmart for my prescriptions as rare and far between as they may be… I PROTEST Walgreens AND CVS!!!!!!!! Whatever happened to SAY NO TO DRUGS??? I mean come on people. 😀
Finally some good news……
ahhh, won’t let me post the link