As we have been reporting, the Pathmark grocery store at 227 Cherry Street is closing at the end of the year to make way for a large-scale residential development project. The company also announced plans to shut down its pharmacy, located in a separate building on Cherry Street. But today we have confirmed rumors swirling for the past month that the pharmacy will close its doors this month, two months before the grocery ends its 30-year commitment to the Lower East Side.
Unlike the grocery store site, the pharmacy building is owned by the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, the sponsor of several affordable housing developments along the East River waterfront. The organization was informed by Pathmark this week that “financial considerations” have prompted the financially troubled chain to end operations October 27. Customers are being told by store mangement that the closure will happen even sooner, next Thursday. Two Bridges President Victor Papa tells us conversations with Pathmark are continuing to see if there’s any way to extend the pharmacy’s services beyond this month.
Two Bridges, along with local elected officials, have expressed serious concerns about the loss of the grocery, one of the few sources of fresh, affordable food in the area. But they have been even more concerned about the demise of the pharmacy, which serves a large elderly population. Two Bridges will soon announce the creation of a prescription delivery service for seniors and disabled residents. It could be up-and-running by Monday.
Meanwhile, the organization is looking at its options for the pharmacy building, with an eye towards locating a new pharmacy to take over the large Cherry Street space.
Not surprised. It’s a large store that’s mostly empty. They wanted their own CVS or Rite Aid,. but the layout is messy and the selection is uneven. It looks like a 99 cent store that no one visits.
I disagree, the supermarket is an important part of the neighborhood, and will be missed by many residents, especally those on a budget or with a large family to feed, when I shop there it is full of people and well stocked, I am sad to see it go
I was talking about the pharmacy not the supe