ATLANTA — Georgia State University students are expressing their concerns after a Walgreens location at Five Points in downtown Atlanta announced it will close next month.
The location, 25 Peachtree Street Southwest, is steps from GSU's campus and is known for its iconic Coca-Cola sign hanging over the top.
GSU Sophomore Collin June stopped by Walgreens Monday for food.
"You're on campus, and you need something real quick," June said. "You can just go here, just like me. I got some groceries."
Several students, like June, say they make runs to Walgreens all the time, not only for food but also for medicine and supplies. They are wondering where else they will go when the store shuts down.
For instance, student Jordan Madden said others tend to go to the pharmacy for last-minute essentials in the evening when everything else is closed.
"The news was a little alarming to me," Madden said. "We just recently saw that RaceTrac the gas station, right across from Georgia State campus, closed."
RaceTrac shut down two weeks ago due to "senseless acts of violence at and near this store," a spokesperson for the company said.
"It's really inconvenient," Madden said about Walgreens' closure.
Madden said the closure leaves students who don't have cars with fewer options. The closest convenience store, K Stop, is less than half a mile away. However, the next nearest pharmacy, CVS, is half a mile away. The closest grocery store, Publix, is two miles away. That would mean an 11-minute walk carrying groceries.
However, June said students have other options.
"There is a shopping shuttle," June said. "That comes by, and it picks you up. And it'll take you to like the Walmart, the Publix."
But if one checks GSU's website, the shuttle has only been scheduled five times this semester so far.
"We should be in a community where all of these things are convenient, not just for the students who live here but the residents," Madden said.
While students tell 11Alive they're disappointed to see Walgreens go, the neighborhood has been sounding off on social media -- saying the location hasn't felt safe in years. They notice that the homeless community spends a lot of time in the area, as they have few options elsewhere.
As a student leader, Madden hopes students can band together and get their voices heard by city officials on the plan for what happens next to this historic building in South Downtown, which would be a happy ending for everyone.
"Walgreens is essential," Madden said. "And it's very important, but we need an actual grocery store. We need a place where we can get fresh fruits, fresh vegetables."
Walgreens shared this statement:
When faced with the difficult decision to close a location, several factors are taken into account, including our existing footprint of stores, dynamics of the local market, and changes in the buying habits of our patients and customers, among other reasons.
We are committed to our patients in Atlanta, and have provided them with options to ease the transition as this store closes so we can continue to serve their needs. All of our team members have been offered employment at other nearby Walgreens.
We know that our customers and patients rely on our stores and trust our team members for their healthcare needs. And, when we must close a store, it affects them and their community. Our priority is to ensure a smooth transition for our customers and team members during this time.
In general, Madden and neighbors fear more businesses will close next and are concerned about what that means for their community.
"It's becoming more and more of a what we like to call a dead zone," Madden said.
11Alive reached out to a spokesperson for GSU and is awaiting a response.
The pharmacy officially closes on April 9 at 3 p.m.