Walgreens has officially started closing down more stores this week, with four locations in Connecticut shuttering permanently, raising red flags among healthcare experts and community leaders over the creation of new “healthcare deserts.”
Which Walgreens Stores Are Closing in Connecticut?
Here’s a full list of the affected Walgreens locations and their closure dates:
| Location | Address | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| New Britain | 1330 Stanley Street | Sunday, May 18 |
| East Hartford | Silver Lane | Tuesday, May 20 |
| New Milford | 173 Danbury Road | Wednesday, May 21 |
| East Haven | 157 Main Street | Thursday, May 22 |
Why Are Walgreens Stores Closing?
The closures come as part of Walgreens’ broader strategy to streamline operations amid rising operational costs and competition from online pharmacies. The move is also tied to Walgreens’ ongoing $23.7 billion acquisition talks with private equity firm Sycamore Partners, expected to close by the end of 2025.
Concerns Over Healthcare Access
Healthcare professionals are sounding the alarm. Angela Mattie, professor of management and medical sciences at Quinnipiac University, warned that these store closures could lead to serious gaps in local health services.
“What’s happening here is you’re creating health care deserts,” Mattie said. “Access to pharmacies is important because they improve health outcomes and help keep people out of critical care.”
Without local pharmacy options, residents, especially the elderly and those without reliable transportation, will face increased barriers to prescription refills, basic medical supplies, and health consultations.
Rite Aid Closures Add to the Crisis
The situation is compounded by parallel store shutdowns at Rite Aid. The chain, which filed for bankruptcy in May 2025, has already closed stores in Cheshire and Danbury and plans to shut its Naugatuck location soon.
Combined, the Walgreens and Rite Aid closures paint a troubling picture for Connecticut’s pharmacy access, especially in underserved areas.
The Bigger Retail Trend
Walgreens isn’t alone. Retail pharmacy chains across the country are pulling back physical locations due to shrinking profit margins, shifting consumer behavior, and inflation-driven cost increases.
For now, shoppers still have a few days left to pick up prescriptions or use rewards at the closing locations. After May 22, these sites will be shuttered permanently, and their services consolidated into nearby stores, if any remain within reach.
What You Can Do
- Check your local Walgreens store locator to see if your location is impacted.
- Transfer prescriptions to a nearby location in advance.
- Stock up on essentials if your area is losing access to in-person pharmacy services.
- Call 1-800-WALGREENS for help transferring prescriptions
As pharmacy deserts expand, the future of community health access may depend heavily on how quickly both public and private sectors step up to fill the void.
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