Walgreens in McCandless set to close May 1

A Walgreens pharmacy location is set to close its doors in McCandless come May.

The location at 30 Pine Creek Road will shutter May 1 after 18 years at the site.

The closure comes after the pharmacy chain announced last year it would shut down 1,200 of its locations over the next three years, including 500 during this fiscal year.

Jennifer Cotto, a media relations specialist for Walgreens, said the overhaul is aimed at “stabilizing” the chain as it struggles to meet costs associated with rent, staffing and supply needs.

“It is never an easy decision to close a store, and we know how important they are to the communities we serve,” she said.

Patients who get their prescriptions at that location do not need to take action, Cotto said. They will be notified by mail, and their prescriptions will be automatically transferred to the Walgreens at 4885 McKnight Road in Ross, which is about 5 miles away from the McCandless location.

McCandless Manager John Schwend said the town currently has no indication about the future of the building where the pharmacy resides.