CVS closure spells less options for Trentonians

When the CVS located at Greenwood Avenue closes its doors for good on December 5th, there will be one less option for Trentonians to choose from to pick up their medications, beauty supplies, household essentials, and receive vaccinations. 

“‘We’ve made the difficult decision to close our store at 1240-1248 Greenwood Ave. in Trenton on December 5. All prescriptions will be transferred to the nearby CVS Pharmacy at 2147 Hamilton Ave. in Hamilton to ensure that patients continue to have uninterrupted access to pharmacy care,” said Amy Thibault, Lead Director of External Communications for CVS Pharmacy. “Patients can always choose to fill their prescriptions at any CVS Pharmacy, or the pharmacy of their choice, if another is more convenient. All employees are being offered comparable roles within the company,” Thibault added.

Trenton, like many urban areas, has faced challenges in providing equitable access to healthcare services. The closure of the CVS on Greenwood Avenue exacerbates these challenges, leaving residents in the surrounding neighborhoods without a convenient and accessible source for medications, health supplies, and crucial health information. Back in May just a few blocks away from the Greenwood CVS location, Walgreens closed its doors stating, “several factors are taken into account, including our existing footprint of stores and dynamics of the local market, and changes in the buying habits of our patients and customers.”

Adding to the dearth of healthcare options in Trenton, the City of Trenton Neighborhood Health Clinic on North Olden Avenue, which offered Covid vaccinations and testing unceremoniously closed shop, just one year after its grand opening leaving some residents scrambling for health services. 

The closing of select CVS and Walgreen stores isn’t unique to Trenton, but part of a bigger trend growing nationwide with predominantly Black, Brown and low-income communities losing access to pharmacies first and being the most impacted. Retail anaylsts have cited increasing competition, inflation, and crime as some of the reasons for the pharmacy closures. Speaking with a few employees at the Greenwood Avenue CVS, Trenton Journal was told that theft was rampant at that location with glass displays often broken into for high ticket items.

“In 2021, CVS announced that they were closing roughly 900 stores nationally by 2024.  Unfortunately, Trenton’s CVS was included in that number. Luckily, as CVS struggles, other pharmacies have been opening in Trenton, including the Mill Hill Pharmacy at 334 South Broad and the Community Walgreens at 50 East State and other pharmacies continue to serve the City,” said Eric Maywar, Economic and Development Specialist for the City of Trenton. 

The impact of this closure is particularly pronounced in a city where many residents rely on local pharmacies for their healthcare needs. The absence of a nearby pharmacy can lead to difficulties in obtaining prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, and essential health advice, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. The Greenwood Avenue CVS location also provided local residents the opportunity to have their pets vaccinated on weekends via the mobile  ShotVet clinic. 

CVS closure raises questions about the impact on the elderly, those with limited mobility, and individuals without reliable transportation. Access to medications and healthcare supplies is a critical component of public health, and the absence of a nearby pharmacy can lead to delayed or inadequate treatment for various health conditions. According to the Trenton 250 Master Plan, approximately 30 percent of Trenton households are car-free, and 21 percent of residents reported relying on carpooling as a primary mode of transportation for commuting to work. 

“Maintaining access to pharmacy services in the communities we serve is an important factor we consider when making store closure decisions.  Other factors include local market dynamics, population shifts, a community’s store density, and ensuring there are other geographic access points to meet the needs of the community,” Thibault said. 

The closure of the CVS Greenwood Avenue location highlights the vulnerability of communities reliant on a limited number of healthcare providers. As the city grapples with this new reality, there is an urgent need for collaborative efforts between local government, healthcare providers, and community organizations to find sustainable solutions and ensure that no resident of Trenton is left without access to essential pharmaceutical services.

Click here for a Google map to pharmacies still serving the Capital City.