Walgreens to close north side store in June, citing safety concerns
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Walgreens announced their Milwaukee location at 27th and North Avenue will close on June 23.
The company says the location is not safe enough for customers and employees.
Many people we spoke with said theft is a major problem, and it has impacted how and when they shop.
Travis Green lives near the Walgreens. He told us, "I think it's a lot of theft going on."
In a statement, Walgreens said: "Despite our actions and investments in private security, persistent safety challenges at our North Avenue store do not allow us to operate sustainably."
Most of the people we spoke with were not surprised.
Ernest William Barkley, Sr. told us, "It should've been closed two years ago because it's so horrible down here."
Buckley says he only goes to the store if he has someone to accompany him, never alone. "Because I'm going to get robbed. Somebody is going to snatch my bag between here and 33rd and Wright." He said it's happened before, "many times."
While not a true grocery store, this closure eliminates another shopping option for people in an area that's already lacking.
Green said, "This is the closest store to my house. I live on 36th St. But since they close Pick 'n Save, there's actually nothing open."
After the store closes, prescriptions will automatically be transferred to the Walgreens at 35th and Wisconsin Avenue, approximately two miles away.
That could be a challenge for people without transportation.
But it will not affect Barkley, who long ago switched his prescriptions to mail delivery to cut down on having to go to the store.
"We can't come down here and get little snacks and stuff,” Barkley said, “Because one of the kids is going to run up and try to do something. So, we just don't come down this way."
Our crew saw it play out first-hand. As we were talking to people in the parking lot, we saw a group of seven children in the 11-13 range run out with armfuls of snacks they stole off the shelves.