SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — With Rite-Aid closing five Syracuse branches this month, many residents have been forced to find alternative healthcare options.
It’s led Central New York residents to scramble, looking to local pharmacies like the Westside Family Pharmacy that offer a place “to shop local” in the world of medicine.
Zulia Rodriguez, the supervising pharmacist at the pharmacy, knows that the closing of big companies like Rite-Aid could spell disaster for their mom-and-pop shop, but she’s optimistic.
“They can’t compete in this market that’s going on right now. Where does that leave us? It leaves us a little nervous,” said Rodriguez. “But at the same time we’re hoping to get some of that revenue from those customers who need to go somewhere. So hopefully they’ll influx our store.
As an independent pharmacy, Rodriguez said that they aren’t inundated by the unnecessary extra work of the bigger corporate pharmacies. And they’re the ones still standing.
“We’re willing to try to help everybody out, which may be to our detriment at some point, but we’ll see,” said Rodriguez. “CVS is closed, Walgreens is closed, Rite-Aid is closing, we’re still here. So that has to count for something.”
Rite-Aid is closing up to 268 stores nationwide, with the five Syracuse branches as part of a third phase of closures, according to court documents filed in late May.
With five of the Syracuse area Rite-Aids closing in June, the Westside Family Pharmacy remains open for the time being, serving the community.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Major pharmacy closures result in Central New Yorkers looking local
CUDDY: Big companies like Rite-Aid and Walgreens are closing their pharmacies. One Local pharmacy reporting on how they’re handling the influx of people from the big stores closing. Patrick?
SCANLON: Thanks Ryan. With the shuttering of many Rite-Aids across the greater Syracuse region, five in fact, many residents return local to places like Westside Family Pharmacy for all their healthcare needs. The ailing pharmacy chain plans to close 151 stores nationwide as part of the third batch of closures. According to court documents filed in late May. This latest filing brings the total to 268 nationwide. It’s led central New York residents to scramble to find other pharmacies where they can get their prescriptions. Local pharmacies like the Westside Family Pharmacy offer a place to shop local in the world of healthcare.
RODRIGUEZ: It can’t compete in this market that’s going on right now. Where does that leave us too? It leaves us a little nervous, but at the same time, we’re hoping to get some of that revenue from those customers who need to go somewhere. So hopefully they’ll influx our store.
SCANLON: Zulia Rodriguez, the supervising pharmacist at the pharmacy, knows that the closing of big companies like Rite-Aid could spell disaster for their mom-and-pop shop, but she’s optimistic. As an independent pharmacy, Rodriguez tells me that they aren’t inundated by the unnecessary extra work of the bigger corporate pharmacies. With all these places closing, the Westside Family Pharmacy remains open for the time being.
RODRIGUEZ: We’re willing to try to help everybody out, which may be to our detriment at some point, but we’ll see. We’re still standing. CVS is closed. Walgreens is closed. Rite-Aid is closing. We’re still here. So, that has to count for something.
SCANLON: As Rodriguez said, they’re still standing and five Rite-Aids closed across the greater Syracuse region. Their Doors remain open. In Syracuse, I’m Patrick Scanlon. NCC News.