“Crazy. Thats a pretty busy location too,” said one commenter on a Reddit thread discussing the closure.
“Sh*t, no way,” added another person. “I no longer live in the neighbourhood, but my folks still do, and I always love walking to that LD whenever I visit them to pick up odds and ends.
“Truly served the community well, that’s just so sad.”
Clint Mahlman, President & Chief Operating Officer at London Drugs, told Daily Hive Urbanized that the “difficult decision” to close Store 28 at 3328 Kingsway occurred after careful consideration of multiple business factors.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Mahlman in a statement. “It reflects ongoing challenges with the condition of the physical building and HVAC and landlord maintenance at this location, historic theft in the area, and a general downgrading of the neighbourhood business environment, which together have made this store unsustainable.
“London Drugs remains healthy and competitive across the Lower Mainland and Western Canada. Our focus is on strengthening nearby stores and enhancing customer service.”
The Renfrew-Collingwood location offered a Canada Post Office, a tech department, cosmetics, groceries, and a pharmacy.
Mahlman added that the company is supporting all affected employees in the transition during the London Drugs closing, including offering transfers to nearby stores as well as possible opportunities for new roles.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
A sign at the Wessex – Kingsway location also told customers that pharmacy records will move to the London Drugs at Victoria Drive and 41st Avenue by Feb. 2.
The distance from the Renfrew-Collingwood location to the Victoria Drive location is a roughly eight-minute drive, a 15-minute bus ride, or a 34-minute walk.
Some commenters reminisced about their first jobs, while others lamented the loss to the community of the London Drugs closing.
“This is actually devastating if you live around here. Dang,” said one person.
“Very sad to see this go. My very first job was here back in 2003, in the hot inventory room and stocking the endless 2L Pop bottles and Tissue while also running back and forth to be a cashier,” shared another.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
“Been going to this location since 2007,” added a local resident. “It is so much better than the other LDs to me. Really going to miss it. I hope the staff will all be relocated. I know all the pharmacy people’s names.”
There has been a series of grocery store closures in Metro Vancouver recently that have impacted shoppers.
The Burnaby Heights Business Improvement Association recently shared the unfortunate news that Red Apple Market, a local staple, would be closing its doors.
Meinhardt Fine Foods closed its Pacific Centre grocery store this spring, and Columbus Farm Market shuttered its Edgemont Village location permanently this summer.
Will you miss the London Drugs in the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood? What would you like to see replace the retailer in the location? Let us know in the comments.