Duane Reade Creeps Into Williamsburg

Williamsburg Waterfront, you are growing up so fast! The area, drowned in luxury condos, will soon have its first chain store grand opening! Brownstoner recently spotted the shiny, new Duane Reade, "one of the three businesses signed up for retail space at Northside Piers on Kent Avenue, set to open on Saturday. Word of the ubiquitous drugstore chain's arrival on the Brooklyn waterfront first broke over a year ago; signage confirmed the news back in June." Their first space in the neighborhood is located at North 5th and Kent, a grueling 15 blocks from the closest Chase Bank. Meanwhile, just four blocks away is the current establishment hipsters get their Adderall refilled at, King's Pharmacy. Will their customers remain loyal?

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By Jen Carlson in News on September 16, 2009 4:09 PM

Comments [rss]

economush

I live over here and while I'm sure to run over there for some paper towels or detergent (hey it has to be better than TOPS), I'm still filling my prescriptions at Northside Pharmacy. They're nice and the pharmacist has a picture of her with the Pope!

Anybody know when that Mexican restaurant on the other corner is supposed to open? They've had signage up for months?

debra88

@ rojedejong, I agree 100%, I mean, it's NOT like like Jen used to NOT frequent Misshapes...I mean, definitely no hipster-pot calling the hipster-kettle black here.

freddynyc

Duane Reade bashing is getting so lame...

Mr Mel

They were the first major drug store chain in NYC. The family that founded it were/are real estate people. They sold out to to Wall Streeters who did little to improve the stores. The national chains (CVS, Walgreens, not Rite Aid) will eat their lunch. A number of years ago a new building was built on the corner of 39th St & 2nd Avenue. There was one retail space in the building and Duane Reade leased it to keep CVS out of the neighborhood. It didn't happen and they were stuck with the lease. They finally opened a Duane Reade in the spot and it is a too small, crowded aisle, understaffed loser.

NannyState

I hope they stock plenty of contraceptives.

schizofriendly

yes

interlard

I've never understood why DR is so popular in NYC. The staff are comatose. Except to periodically yell at customers, "form a separate line at each register". I avoid DR whenever possible.

valeriob

Didn't DR file for bankruptcy?

Or was that just moral bankruptcy for crappy hours, price gouging, and dumb-as-a-rock employees?

rojedejong

I can spot a Jen Carlson story a mile away, because there's always some lame "hipster" reference, followed by an unfunny joke. I'm not offended, really. Just bored. Can't you find another word, or be a little more creative, or something?

pal

i think gothamist should change it's name to bloombergamist. with so many bloomberg ads it's like he owns you guys.

Bort

Gotta pay the bills, man.

bklynbagel

t-minus 2 years before williamsburg is as boring as battery park

ozik

Yeahhhh... Williamsburg is prety boring already. It's just themed a little differently than the other rich folk neighborhoods.

TheKlaus

My thoughts exactly, twin brain

nomnomnom

I think this location will mainly cater to the new buildings right there. That said, if they stayed open 24 hours, they would have good biz from people seeking late night items.