The neighborhood has been crying out for another chain drug store in the ‘hood. And we are getting one! There is a new Duane Reade under construction at the Southeast corner of 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street in the Tempo Building. This is in addition to the Duane Reade’s on 23rd Street & 3rd Ave, 23rd Street & Lexington Ave and 26th Street and 2nd Avenue. It also adds to the CVS down the block and the brand new drug store on 23rd Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. Is there a trend here? Based on the number of long-time empty storefronts around town and the proliferation of drug stores and bank branches, it seems only the banks and drugs can afford the rents. Maybe it’s because now that Walgreens, CVS and D/R have pushed out all the mom & pop drug stores, they can charge ridiculous prices for everything; A bottle of shampoo that used to be $3 is now $6. A small bottle of bottled tap water is now $2. The cheapest sunscreen is $12 for a small tube. We prefer shopping for our Health & Beauty items at Target in Harlem or by the new Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn where you can buy these items for 1/2 the price. It’s unfortunate that all the things that made New York City unique are disappearing

duane reade, kips bay, gramercy, NYC