LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For people living in the Portland neighborhood, the new year brings with it the loss of an essential service -- a CVS Pharmacy.
"I think there's concern," Mary Jolly, president of the Portland Neighborhood Association, said. "It's another space that's closing, you know, everything's closing around everywhere."
The CVS on 3130 Portland Ave. is shutting its doors on Jan. 18, according to a statement sent to WHAS11 by CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault.
"That is a big deal. That is going to be a problem," Jolly said.
The company spokesperson called it a "difficult decision" for CVS.
"Maintaining access to pharmacy services in the communities we serve is an important factor we consider when making store closure decisions," Thibault said.
She didn't provide an explanation as to why CVS decided to close its Portland Avenue store, but said the company looks at factors like local market dynamics, population shifts, and store density. She also said all employees are being offered "comparable roles" within the company.
"The idea of another business shutting down, of course it's in the West End, that's always an issue as well," Jolly said.
Jolly explained that many people in the Portland neighborhood rely on public transit or walking on foot to get around.
"When you shut down a business -- where are they going to be able to access their services that they need?" Jolly said. "And the biggest thing at CVS was their pharmacy."
All prescriptions will be transferred to the CVS on 340 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. This is located three miles from one closing.
"Patients can always choose to fill their prescriptions at any CVS Pharmacy, or the pharmacy of their choice, if another is more convenient," Thibault said.
There are 20 CVS locations remaining in Louisville, including two MinuteClinic locations. CVS also offers a prescription home delivery service to eligible patients through their website, and the CVS Pharmacy app.
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