Walgreens is closing stores in the Fresno area. Here’s which ones are confirmed so far
At least three Walgreens pharmacies are slated to close this spring in Fresno and surrounding cities.
It’s part of a turnaround plan to close 1,200 stores over three years as the retailer is bleeding cash.
So far, The Bee has confirmed three stores in the central San Joaquin Valley are headed for closure, including the Walgreens at the corner of West and Herndon avenues in Fresno.
That store is slated to close by April 28.
Two other stores in the Valley are also closing this month.
In Dinuba, the Walgreens at El Monte Way and Alta Avenue will close March 19.
In Reedley, the Walgreens at Manning Avenue and 11th Street will close March 25.
The closures will leave both communities without a Walgreens.
Customers can transfer their prescriptions to other Walgreens in Visalia or Selma or Kingsburg, or switch to other pharmacies in town, including local pharmacies, Walmart and Rite-Aid.
Why is Walgreens closing?
Walgreens has announced plans to close 1,200 stores by the end of 2027. About 500 stores are closing in the first round, in the 12-month period that started in October of last year.
The pharmacies and accompanying stores are being hit hard by shrinking reimbursements for prescription drugs, theft, rising costs and customers turning to online retailers or competitors with lower prices, according to the Associated Press.
Walgreens isn’t alone in its challenges.
CVS is nearing the end of a plan to close 900 stores, which included the downtown store on Fulton Street in Fresno.
Rite-Aid has closed 800 stores since its 2023 bankruptcy, including the store at Cedar and Shields avenues in Fresno.
Locally owned pharmacies are feeling the squeeze, too. Yosemite Drug in Coarsegold recently closed, blaming low reimbursement rates from pharmacy benefit managers.
