The Aftermath: Who’s Staying and Who’s Going

Worlee Glover at Concerned Citizens of Chatham has been doing a great job keeping everyone updated on the aftermath of the George Floyd unrest from over a month ago at the end of May. Many of us are concerned about some of our retail establishments reopening after the vandalism and looting of that time.

Many of us were concerned about being able to shop in our communities for groceries. Also some of us are concerned about where to pick-up our prescriptions. Those are the main things of great concern to many as we take Jewel, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc for granted until they got hit by looting & vandalism.

Some of these establishments are returning to operations for our convenience. I was honestly shocked to see the Rothschild's Liquor (717 E 87th St) appeared to be closed one day I went up to 87th Street. From Worlee Rothchild's other locations throughout the city and their downtown offices were looted so they may not reopen at all. He even addressed the idea that with the disappearance of our local liquor stores - including Kenwood Liquors per their website is permanently closed - alcoholism will suddenly disappear.

We see the Walmart 8331 S. Steward or on 83rd Street and the Walgreens 11 E. 75th Street or on 75th & State Streets will take at least 2 to 6 months to reopen as they took extensive damage due to the looting. If I recall the 83rd Street Walmart was said to be on fire that last weekend in May due to the civil unrest. Also the Walgreens on 75th & State still had issues with looters even after the unrest.

Those among other updates and information you will see in the Concerned Citizen's of Chatham posting below.

Man fatally Shot In The Pharmacy Drive-Thru 0n 75th & State

[VIDEO] Here's a story from the Tribune:

A man was shot and killed as he sat in his SUV in a Walgreens drive-through lane in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, according to Chicago police.

Kendredge Dillard, 27, was shot in the head around 9:50 p.m. in the first block of East 75th Street by someone in a black sedan, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Dillard lived about a mile away in the 8000 block of South Stewart Avenue.

A female with him was taken to St. Bernard Hospital with minor injuries from flying glass flying, police said.

No one was in custody.

A beige SUV, its front doors open, was the focus of the crime scene that stretched between the Walgreens and South State Street. Both of the doors’ windows were mostly shot out. Officers shined flashlights into the SUV and on the slushy ground around it. One of them kicked over a lump of snow to see what was underneath.

As always be very careful out there! 

PHOTO: 87th/Cottage Grove 1960 to 2018 #tbt

87th/Cottage Grove - 1960

 The Sixth Ward: PHOTO: 87th & Cottage Grove 1960

I posted the above pic to the link above back in July 2012. Up until about the first decade of the 21st Century Walgreen's was on this corner as you know things have since changed since then. You can read more background of the shopping center we now know as Chatham Village Square in the above link also.

In addition to Walgreen's there is a Chase branch, Nike Outlet, a Target, an AT&T store, and even a military recruiting station. Back in the day say during the course of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s the shopping center once was home to a Radio Shack, People's Gas, a bowling alley, Sara Lee store, Woolworths, and even a Polk Bros. As happens as time goes on, things must change.

Pic below of the same corner.

87th/ Cottage Grove - March 2018

West Chesterfield on the recent Walgreen's closure in the neighborhood

347 E. 95th Street - June 2017

Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to go to the recent meeting hosted by state Rep. Elgie Sims on the Walgreen's store that closed on Tuesday Jun. 27th at 95th/King Drive. However I'm glad that the West Chesterfield Community Association was able to share a quick report on their fb page. That report is embedded below

State Rep. Elgie Sims community meeting on impending closure of Walgreens at 95th & King Dr.

347 E. 95th Street

You may have seen this over at Concerned Citizens of Chatham during the course of the week. I have an updated flyer regarding a community meeting to discuss the soon to close Walgreen's store at 95th & King Drive which was posted to our ig today. Does anyone have any ideas for the soon to close Walgreen's store at 95th & King Drive?

The Walgreen's on 95th & King Drive is closing

In about one month the Walgreen's location at 347 E. 95th Street will be closed permanently on June 27, 2017. It'll just be another vacant storefront just like the former Wendy's across the street on 95th.

The flyer you see below is seen on a table as you enter the store and signs are posted in that location alerting customers of the impending closing. This particular space had only been open for roughly a decade.

Pimps: That What the 83rd Street Merchants Believe They Are

Several months ago I posted a report from a reliable source on Facebook, I was informed that the owners in Freshmart Foods at 400 E. 83rd were attempting to persuade the Alderman to support a liquor license for the location. A number of readers dismissed my report as a rant.

The rant is reality as it has been confirmed that the current owners have approached the Alderman about obtaining a liquor license at that location and the 83rd State street location. Per a conversation with Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer he represented that he has told the owners he opposes liquor at either site. Currently, there are a number of retail liquor establishments in and near Chatham

1. Walmart- 83rd Stewart
2. Rothchilds- 87th Evans
3. Happy Liquors- 79th Cottage Grove
4. Walgreens-87th Cottage Grove
5. A&S Liquors- 75th Prairie
6. Jewel's- 87th Lafayette
7. Buddy's -87th Lafayette
8. D&J- 79th Eberhart
9. Aldi's 83rd Stewart 

There are also the superstores Kenwood and Binny's in nearby neighborhoods, so what could you want that can't be found at these stores?

The answer is nothing but the "$2 Holla" that causes loitering,panhandling and public drinking, etc. Some residents are under the impression that 83rd Street is dry and that is untrue. Several years ago, a notice was mailed to residents from King Drive to Eberhart stating that the areas zoning would be down zoned from mix use to residential. Unfortunately, residents were not informed that the zoning proposal was rescinded based on technical issues.

This type of disrespect has been running rampant on 83rd Street and the new business owners think they can pimp the residents of the community. While they have a few under their belt most of us can't be pimped. The owners of Honey Beauty Supply at 452 E. 83rd learned that it hard out there on a pimp when they attempted to convert their failing beauty supply into a variety store and ended up with a failing beauty supply and variety store. After they learned that people in this community do not buy from stores that hide their merchandise and most shop at grocery stores he packed up and moved on. Next 83rd street food mart 448 E. 83rd saw no problem selling outdated merchandise,loose cigarettes and tobacco products to minors. The owner was bold enough to tell Chicago Police personnel he was doing it and thought this was ok because the neighborhood where he came from allowed this. Now after paying numerous fines and almost getting his head blown off in a botched robbery he is slowly learning. He still thinks he will not get caught selling loose cigarettes and tobacco to minors.

Freshmart Foods has been the most arrogant of the bunch, the original owners thought they could stay open all night sell outdated products and disrespect customers, especially senior citizens, with accusations of shoplifting. They found a group of Chatham residents to buy into their nonsense. This group of residents were had, hoodwinked, and their imagination ran a muck believing that this store would hire individuals from the community. How these individuals bought this is unimaginable seeing that the building was build with non-union labor and no African american contractors. Other than offering a few individuals a lifetime supply of grape pop and hot chips they reneged on everything they said.  After they and their group of residents attempted to steam roll former Alderman Fredrenna Lyle into supporting a liquor license and failing miserably the store was sold.

Now, the new owners after investing money into a restaurant that only has business from the 1st-10th of the month,  and seeing competition eat at their convenience store business got the pimping bug and attempted to back door their way into a liquor license. They have been promising their customers that they would get one and now have the audacity to circulate a petition within their store seeking support.

The mayor has made a lot of noise about liquor stores but I'm not waiting on any support from City Hall. The zoning on that corner leaves a lot of questions and it is uncertain as to where the two churches and elementary school that are within 250 feet of this location stand on the issue.

I have been opposed to the store,restaurant and definitely a liquor license and will continue my silent boycott against the store. I refuse to spend my money at any store where I'm tolerated and not not appreciated and celebrated as a customer. I cannot and will not be pimped by Freshmart or any other store.

Where do you stand?

PHOTO: 87th & Cottage Grove 1960

This is how Chatham Village Square used to look over 50 years ago. It had been redeveloped within the last decade where Walgreen's is no longer on this corner but down the street near 86th Street. Of course, this two story building was even ahead of my time.

The Walgreen's I remember from the past was only one story. No one seems certainly what happened to this second story here. They did note a fire here at this shopping center at least in the late 90s before the redevelopment that now includes a military recruiting center, Chase Bank, Target, Nike Outlet, & Game Stop to name a few shops.

I found this photo via the group Children of Chatham. Also here's another vintage pic of Chatham Village Square posted on this blog a year ago.

Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council: CAPCC & Walgreens Financial 4 Part Series

Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council: CAPCC & Walgreens Financial 4 Part Series

One of the days have already passed but there are three other days coming up!

Chatham Avalon Park Community Council & Walgreens Corporation & World Financial Group

“HEALTH & WEALTH “

CHECKUP

A four part series

On the following dates:

• WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012
• WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012
• WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012
• WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2012

WALGREENS CORPORATION ( MEETING ROOM)
11 EAST 75TH STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60619
6:00PM UNTIL 7:30 PM

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE, CHOLESTERAL & GLUCLOSE SCREENING

Your Walgreens Experiment Could Make Food Deserts Worse

The ChicagoNow blog Dear Mr. Mayor tears to shreds Mayor Emanuel's initiatives to eliminate food deserts in poor city neighborhoods. The first target is Walgreen's:

Your corporate experiment is supposed to bring better health, jobs, and fresh food to under-served neighborhoods, but Walgreens is the real beneficiary. In addition to fresh profit from many more (city subsidized) stores, Walgreens gets the big prize: unqualified endorsement by a major market Mayor with deep ties to the Obama administration (i.e. you). Yes, you handed Walgreens an impressive public relations coup that will speed their growth in the region and other cities nationwide, and they’re getting it for free.

Walgreens and other corporations do have a role to play. The underserved of our City need, want, and deserve more services including health care facilities, a variety of retail, and more food choice. And $67B Walgreens drug empire has recognized what other chains have missed for years: food desert residents spend a disproportionate amount of their income on food and other necessities and will buy them locally if available. Is Walgreens a greedy corporation? The stock market demands they answer first to shareholders and profits, not to residents and not to good health. Food deserts are simply a new market and profit opportunity. This is a chance to stake a real estate claim in areas that are already improving, if slowly, thanks mainly to local not corporate efforts.

What do you propose for alleviating the food desert in poor inner-city neighborhoods?

The first lady was in the 6th ward!!!

Photo from WBEZ

Alderman Sawyer mentioned that when he addressed the Roseland Heights Community Association last night. Here's a story from WBEZ:

First Lady Michelle Obama returned to her native South Side Chicago on Tuesday to promote her initiatives on healthy eating for children as well as her quest to eliminate food deserts.

Obama stopped by a refashioned Walgreens on 75th and State Street. Last year the chain started stocking its shelves with fresh fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods where crisp produce is scarce. Often, such food deserts either lack healthy stores or are home to stores where processed and junk foods prevail.

The First Lady said the issue of food deserts speaks directly to her.

“I saw this growing up in my own community,” said Obama, who grew up in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. “Starting out with wonderful grocery stores but slowly, but surely, as the economies changed, many of these resources just disappeared into thin air. This is true for so many communities across the country. This just isn’t happening in Chicago or on the South Side.

“If folks want to buy a head of lettuce for a salad or some fruit for their kids’ lunch, they’d have to take two or three buses to do it.”

Obama invested time and considerable political capital in a program called “Let’s Move,” which aims to reduce childhood obesity.

Her visit coincides with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s daylong food access summit. Mayors from around the country gathered in Chicago to explore best practices to expand fresh food in underserved communities.

Health and Human Services Secretary visits Walgreens

US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visted our local Walgreen's at State and 75th. One of the featured events included the Sceretary getting a flu shot from Walgreens' health clinic (and promoting http://www.flu.gov/ )

The visit also highlighted the several changes to the store, including the fresh foods (mention of the Food Deserts, and Sebelius congratulating Walgreens as being an "oasis"), the health clinic (offering easier access to basic health care), and highlighted the new remodeling, which features a more lighted, open space.

Melinda Kelly of the Chatham Business Association spoke at the podium following the Secretary.

Several VIP's attended the event in addition to Walgreens' president, including a Deputy Governor.  Several reporters and photographers were also present, including WGN news and Univision.



Cristal Thomas, Deputy Governor for Public Policy, is on the left while Debbie Garza , Divisional Vice President, Government and Community Relations of Walgreens, speaks with store manager Wayman Freelon



This event was also done in coordination with First Ladies (The wives of prominent Chicago area pastors, including Chatham's Carter Temple).  Here is a link to a recent event, also co-sponsored with Walgreens, the First Ladies led.

Our Walgreens is a popular place to be.  A second event with the Chicago Urban League, was scheduled for later that afternoon at Walgreens. (I was not able to attend that event, so we don't have details)

 







Here's the Walgreen's press release, sent 2 hours before the event:



photo by JP Paulus



U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will receive her seasonal flu vaccine and will talk about the importance of prevention measures and flu season preparedness this morning at a Walgreens (NYSE:WAG) (NASDAQ:WAG) "health and daily living" pilot store in Chicago. The Secretary also will tour the store with Walgreens President and CEO Greg Wasson, who will highlight the store's ability to offer accessible, preventive health services such as flu vaccinations and diabetes care in underserved communities.





"It's very exciting to see stores like these built on the principle that good health starts with steps we can all take to avoid getting sick in the first place," said Sebelius. "A perfect example of preventive care is getting your annual flu shot to protect yourself and your loved ones. So we're working closely with pharmacies like Walgreens to make the vaccine widely available in communities across the country."



photo by JP Paulus

  

"We appreciate Secretary Sebelius recognizing the important role of community pharmacists in health care," said Wasson. "With this pilot store, we are advancing the profession of pharmacy by providing greater accessibility to pharmacists for medication counseling, answering questions and providing additional clinical services."





Pharmacists are on the front lines of health care and among the most trusted professionals as ranked by Gallup's honesty and ethics survey. Especially in medically underserved communities, pharmacies provide critical access to health care services that often go beyond dispensing medication. Walgreens new pilot pharmacy addresses the desire of customers for better products, tools and guidance as they aspire to make healthier choices in their daily lives. The pilot pharmacy also addresses the national focus on prevention and management of chronic diseases, which has highlighted the need for a model of care that is convenient, coordinated and affordable.

 

More details will be posted when available



<> 

Chicago area church First Ladies, including Micheal Newman-Brooksof Canaan Community Church in Englewood (first on the right), as well as John Gremer, Walgreens Director of Community Affairs. photo courtesy of Pastor Jonathan Brooks, Canaan Community Church



Ald. Sawyer & Mayor Emanuel at Cottage Grove Walgreen's Wednesday Morning

Wednesday morning Mayor Emanuel was at Walgreen's at 86th & Cottage Grove with not only Alderman Sawyer but also 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris. There is a purpose to this meeting surely, Walgreen's are adding more stores and that means more jobs:

Walgreen Co. and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans Wednesday for dozens of new food outlets as the retailer upgrades stores and expands in Chicago, adding 600 jobs in the city over the next two years.

The company and the mayor planned a news conference that the huge drugstore chain will add food products to roughly 40 additional stores in so-called food deserts, up from 11 currently that sell a wider range of groceries.

BTW, Sawyer and Emanuel were quoted in this article found over at Examiner.com:

Emanuel praised Walgreens for stepping forward and meeting the challenge of providing jobs and fresh food to underserved communities.

“This is a true story. A few weeks ago I initially stopped into Walgreens here at 86th and Cottage Grove to go to the ATM when I noticed fruits and vegetables out for sale. I never knew Walgreens sold fresh food and I was very impressed,” recalled Emanuel. “It is unacceptable that 450,000 Chicagoans do not have access to healthy, fresh foods for their families and I am committed to eliminating food deserts in out city.”
...
“I am about growing jobs in Chicago. I am about getting private employers to invest in our city and neighborhoods and Walgreens’ expansion is an example of that,” added Emanuel.
...
And more jobs is something Alderman Roderick Sawyer, whose 6th Ward incudes several Walgreens, welcomes.

“Residents in the Chatham community are in need of jobs like anyone else, whether it be minimum wage or higher,” Sawyer said. “Middle-class communities are among the ones having it the hardest because residents that are employed may be underemployed and those residents that are not employed are often seen as over qualified for lower paying jobs.”

The picture above of Mayor Emanuel & Ald. Sawyer can be found via his service office's Twitter account @6thWardChicago. There are a number of updates about this appearance at the Chatham Village Square Walgreen's on Wednesday morning.

New cafe at Walgreens coming soon...

Yesterday, we mentioned the free HIV testing at the Walgreens located at 11 E. 75th St. Chicago IL 60619, happening right now.

What is also happening, as you may have noticed, is some reconstruction. (Other Walgreens are also getting remodeling done as well)

Manager Wayman Freelon told me that part of what they are doing at 75th is creating a cafe.  This is interesting, as Walgreens stores used to have  a lunch counter as part of the stores in their early history.

In addition, the fruit vendors that you have seen walking into the 75th Street store will be distributing their fresh fruit within the store after remodelling.

We'll let you know when the grand re-opening will be.

Walgreens offering free HIV test = June 22-24

One of our local Walgreens is one of only 3 in the city offering free HIV testing. (the others are North in Uptown and in the SouthWest, near Midway).

From the Greater Than AIDS website

In partnership with Greater Than AIDS and National HIV Testing Month, Walgreens is proud to offer FREE HIV testing at select Walgreens pharmacies on June 22-24 from 3-7PM. Check out the list of participating stores below. Don’t see a pharmacy in your area? Go to hivtest.org to find an HIV testing center location near you.
CHICAGO > AIDS

In partnership with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago
WALGREENS

5435 SOUTH KEDZIE AVENUE

(northeast corner of Kedzie & 55th)

CHICAGO, IL 60632

(773) 436-7396
WALGREENS

11 E 75TH STREET

(corner of 75th & State Streets)

CHICAGO, IL 60619

(773) 224-1211
WALGREENS

4720 N MARINE DR

(southwest corner of Marine & Lakeside)

CHICAGO, IL 60640

(773) 769-1315

http://www.greaterthan.org/2011/06/walgreens-free-hiv-testing-locations/

Every Block items

Looks like one neighborhood Walgreen's will be allowed to sell liquor according to info from Every Block 

• 11 E. 75th St. WALGREENS #03539 
• License for Package goods (liquor) issued on July 7, 2010.

Refer to this post about Walgreen's wishing to sell liquor at their locations once again.

Here are some crimes

• 6900 block S. Prairie Ave Aggravated battery: Handgun 
• Place: Street. Reported at 11 a.m. on June 28, 2010.
  
  7500 block S. Rhodes Ave Robbery: Strongarm: no weapon
  Place: Street. Reported at 5 p.m. on June 28, 2010.
  
  00 block W. 69th St Theft: Purse-snatching
  Place: CTA train. Reported at 6 a.m. on June 28, 2010.
  

I saw an old posting for 87th Street on the Red Line for Domestic battery. May we be very careful out there!

Walgreen's to text when prescriptions are ready

AP:

Drugstore operator Walgreen Co. said Tuesday it will begin using text messages to tell customers when their prescriptions are ready.

Walgreen will also offer details on coupons and other deals to customers who sign up at its website. The company said it is also relaunching its iPhone app and mobile site. Walgreen's mobile phone application was launched in fall 2009.

How many of you are going to take advantage of this new service from Walgreen's?

You can now pick up your packages at Walgreens.

Walgreen's has a new feature called Pick-up Zone.

Your first package is free, and additional ones are $0.99 each. Seems expensive (especially if you do a lot of mail order), but it's a safe place to have packages sent if you are not home very often.

I have even been home, when the postal service didn't drop off a notice until 2 days after they said it was sent back. Maybe it would be more secure at Walgreen's?

Chatham's own Walgreen's at 11 E. 75th is the only south side location east of the Dan Ryan to have this service.

For more information on PickUpZone, go to Walgreen's website.

It's a smart idea, and i wish other businesses, such as restaurants, would "pick up" on this.  If you're at the business all day, and someone can pick up packages, it would be a great way to lure customers in.  And as they give those packages, they can include flyers for specials on their business.