Wegmans plans to close the pharmacy in its Chestnut Hill store next month, and local residents aren’t happy. Some are fighting back.

The supermarket chain is closing the Wegmans Pharmacy to create more space for groceries in Chestnut Hill, a Wegmans executive told a local resident in an email. Wegmans’s corporate office did not respond to repeated calls and emails from the Newton Beacon.

Deana Percassi, Wegmans’ vice president of community engagement, explained the decision to close the pharmacy in an email to Jeff Freilich, a Brookline resident who started a petition asking Wegmans to reconsider.

“As previously mentioned, we have made the difficult decision to close the pharmacy at our Chestnut Hill store and repurpose the space to support the continued growth of the location,” Percassi wrote to Freilich. “We remain committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for all pharmacy customers. Our team is available to help transfer prescriptions to another Wegmans Pharmacy, arrange home delivery, or move prescriptions to a pharmacy of your choice.”

The supermarket, in the plaza across from The Shops at Chestnut Hill mall, attracts customers from Brookline and Newton.

“One-mile radius is probably where you would expect seniors to go and walk, to go pick up their insulin or something like that,” Freilich said. “And there’s the idea that it’s certainly more convenient if you’re going to go out once or twice, you certainly want to do more than one thing.”

Freilich started a petition on change.org Feb. 11 after seeing a sign in front of the pharmacy announcing its closure. The sign states the closure will happen in mid-April and offers instructions for customers to move their prescriptions to another Wegmans location.

That doesn’t sit well with Freilich. “With the Wegmans pharmacy gone,” his petition says, “the primary nearby alternative will be CVS Pharmacy whose two pharmacy locations in Chestnut Hill are already overburdened with long wait times.”

“I’m usually very careful not to be opinionated on anything,” said Freilich, who has lived in Brookline for 25 years. “But this was something that really bothered me.”

Freilich said he transferred his prescriptions to Wegmans a few months ago because his wife had recommended the store. Freilich said he liked the convenience of getting his medications where he buys groceries, as well as the inviting staff.

Marilyn Wolman, a resident of Brookline for over 60 years, said she has been picking up prescriptions from the Wegmans location since its opening in 2014.

“This Wegmans is just fabulous,” Wolman said. “And when they first opened, if you went to the pharmacy, they would give you a $10 voucher to shop in the grocery store, just so they could get customers.” 

Wolman said she prefers Wegmans over the other pharmacies in the area because of its efficiency and proactive approach. 

“Number one, Wegmans texts you that they have received a prescription for you,” she said. “
And then they send you a text that they’re working on it, and then they send you a text when it’s ready, and then they follow up within a month if you need a refill.”

The store is less than a mile from Wolman’s home. The next closest Wegmans Pharmacy is in Westwood, 10 miles away.

 As of March 4, the petition had over 800 signatures. 

Some of the supporters’ comments on the petition mention fondness for the pharmacy while others call out what they see as Wegmans’ violation of its mission statement.

“Your decision to close the pharmacy does not align with your goal of being a critical part of the community and the compassion that your employees show customers everyday,” wrote Laurie Gerber.

Freilich said most of his frustration comes from Wegmans’ explanation for the closure, citing a need to make space for more groceries. Freilich pointed out that the entire second floor of that Wegmans’ is dedicated to liquor. 

“If they really want to show a commitment to the neighborhood, then they have to show that they’re committed, even if it means keeping open a not so profitable part of their store.” Freilich said. “They have to show that they are doing good for the neighborhood.”

A pharmacist at Wegmans seemed willing to speak about the closure with a reporter who visited until a manager said that no employee there could comment. 

Wegmans officials failed to respond to multiple calls and emails over a two-week period from the Newton Beacon.

Freilich forwarded the signed petition and community comments to the manager of the Chestnut Hill store and other members of Wegmans’ corporate leadership.

“I’m kind of trying to maximize impact,” Freilich said, “but I don’t want to go and be the cheerleader here because I am, you know, I’m just trying to do what I believe is important for the neighborhood.”

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This story is part of a partnership between the Newton Beacon and the Boston University Department of Journalism.