Walgreens Closing, 'This Is Going To Leave Ugly Mark In Crest Hill'

CREST HILL — The Crest Hill Walgreens store at the southeast corner of Route 30 and Caton Farm Road has been a mainstay for many years at the six-corner, super-busy intersection but its days are numbered, saddened customers are discovering this week.

One of the store managers informed Joliet Patch on Tuesday morning that it's true. The last day of business at the Crest Hill Walgreens, 2379 Plainfield Road, will be April 10, she revealed.

"We were made aware of the April 10 closing a couple of weeks ago," Crest Hill's four-term Mayor Ray Soliman responded to Joliet Patch's editor phone call seeking comment. "Needless to say, I was surprised and disappointed of this decision because the store appeared to be doing well.

"I am assuming that this was a corporate decision. We have reached out to corporate numerous times but have received very few answers to our questions," Soliman continued.

Walgreens is moving the displaced employees from the Plainfield Road store to other Walgreens stores, the store's manager explained. She referred to Joliet Patch to contact Walgreens' corporate media relations department for any additional comments about her store's pending closure.

Crest Hill resident Brad Dent told Joliet Patch that he has been shopping at the Walgreens store on Plainfield Road for many years, and he said there are always customers inside the store.

"What is going to come in there now? Another smoke shop or a dollar store," Dent asked. "This is going to leave an ugly mark in Crest Hill at one of the busiest intersections in town. I am really upset that Walgreens made the decision to close. They could have done many things differently like maybe lower prices on certain items, reduce inventory on non selling items, hire someone that can make a store profitable, but no they chose to close, and I am really sad."

According to Crest Hill's mayor, Walgreens had a lease in place with the property owner.

"I believe with the drive-thru, this would be an excellent location for a fast-food restaurant or a new retail use in the future," Mayor Soliman told Joliet Patch. "We are certainly hoping that Walgreens would reconsider closing this location."

As for Dent, the long-time Plainfield Road customer, he told Patch, "I wrote to Walgreens ... via email and have not heard anything back ... this is more than the bottom line, this is peoples' lives, the employees, the customers, the community, the tax base it generates, etc. Shame on you, Walgreens."