Community Corner

In Wake of Walgreens Rebuff, Windsor Terrace Rallies

Nearly 200 residents showed up to express their distaste for the drug store chain.

Earlier this month, residents made their case against Walgreens loud and clear: We don't need another pharmacy.

Now, Walgreens execs have made theirs: Tough cookies.

In a rally held Thursday night outside the , nearly 200 residents gathered along with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Councilman Brad Lander, D-Park Slope, and Assemblyman Jim Brennan to decry the drug store mega-chain's apparent lack of interest in providing Windsor Terrace residents with the grocery selection they desire.

Find out what's happening in Windsor Terrace-Kensingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lauren Elvers Collins, co-founder of the Windsor Terrace Alliance and one of the rally's coordinators, presented the results of a conversation held with Walgreens officials on Wednesday.

Walgreens will , she said, nor will they sublease a portion of the property to a dedicated grocery store, a possible compromise suggested during .

Find out what's happening in Windsor Terrace-Kensingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We said, 'Can you just explore the things that we have asked for?' Elvers said. "Walgreens said 'We'll bring it up to corporate, and we'll get back to you.' This is not acceptable."

"They've been saying a lot of 'no' to us, so I think it's time for us to say 'no' to them," said Community Board 7 member Ryan Lynch.

Lander, for his part, led the crowd through a series of chants.

"What are some of the things that we need that Walgreens can't provide?" Lander asked the assembled crowd. "Give me a few examples."

"Vegetables!" the crowd roared. "Thanksgiving turkey," one woman wailed from the periphery.

Markowitz, a Windsor Terrace resident himself, largely echoed the sentiments he expressed at the earlier meeting, saying that business was business, but that with resolve, Walgreens could be driven away.

"They're not in the food business," he reminded the increasingly agitated crowd. "They're a drug chain."

Attendees were also encouraged to sign a pledge to boycott the store, which will officially begin its five-year lease on Aug. 1.

against the arrival of Walgreens is currently circulating as well, and is available both online and in paper form. Paper pledges can be picked up at Windsor Terrace's two independent pharmacies, Ballard Pharmacy and Oak Park, or at Babbo's Books.

Another meeting, during which residents will establish working groups for future action, will be held on July 9 at 7 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, located at 245 Prospect Park West.


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