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| This has since become a Family Dollar. |
The transition of numerous Rite Aids into Walgreens is beginning to happen in CNY. Right now, it's the two on the South Side of Syracuse on S Salina St (US 11), and on the west side near Western Lights. Walgreens have only begun to have a presence in the area in recent years, after a four decade absence. A number of overlapping stores are now closed, but those would make more sense as CVS/pharmacy as the number of full-fledged stores in the region I can count on one hand. CVS run the pharmacy department at Target just as Walgreen do at select Rite Aid locations that will eventually be converted. The one where Syracuse segues into Nedrow was one of the first free-standing drugstores with a drive thru in town when it was originally built as Eckerd, this one a successor to the former Fays across the street in Green Hills Plaza where I think Planet Fitness is now (it's been over two decades since). Many former Fays still exist as Rite Aid while others are vacant like the one pictured up the block from my old place in Eastwood (previously Carls, which Fays bought in 1991, and Loblaws, who only operate in Canada now). This store had also been Peters IGA and Foodland (which is also alive and well, so those who grew up in CNY and don't keep up or get about won't assume that also is no more [it's the same with Acme, but this will lead to another post later on]).
Walgreens tried to buy all of Rite Aid in the past, but the FTC likely felt it would be too big, so this time, they only got some of the chain. In the Chicago area, Walgreens are home and Rite Aid have no stores at all. Back here, I'm more into Wegmans, but at least there's more choice for people now.
