Table of Contents
NEW YORK — CVS Health and Rite Aid Corp. plan to rebuild stores that sustained heavy damage during the late April riots in Baltimore.
CVS Health said it will rebuild two Baltimore stores that were destroyed. Three other Baltimore stores were shut temporarily.
“As we watched the events unfold in Baltimore,” said president and chief executive officer Larry Merlo, “our hearts turned from pain to the promise of what is ahead. Our purpose as a company is helping people on their path to better health. There is no better way that we can fulfill that purpose than to reopen our doors and get back to serving the community. It is simply the right thing to do.”
Merlo added, “We have a long history of serving inner city communities, and we are 100% committed to serving our patients and customers in Baltimore.”
“We can’t tell you today exactly when we will reopen, but we are working diligently to make it as soon as possible for the people of Baltimore. Already our colleagues have been stepping up to welcome customers to our other locations, and I am very proud of all they have done to stand tall and continue to serve.”
To help the community with its efforts to recover and thrive, CVS Health Foundation made a $100,000 donation to the United Way of Central Maryland’s “Maryland Unites Fund” and the Baltimore Community Foundation “Fund for Rebuilding Baltimore.” The funds are intended to provide both immediate and longer-term support to people in hard-hit areas.
CVS has had stores in the city since the mid-1990s. It now has nearly 30 outlets and more than 500 employees.
To help minimize the financial impact of the closings for employees, CVS paid them for their regularly scheduled hours the week of the rioting. All of the displaced employees who want to work in other CVS locations will be able to do so.
“The focus now must return to doing what we do best in fulfilling the needs of daily life — food, medicine and pharmacy care,” Merlo said.
Rite Aid announced that it’s rebuilding its drug store at 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard in Baltimore, which experienced heavy damage during riots. Seven other stores in Baltimore that were closed because of damage from the protests reopened. Employees affected by the store closures were temporarily transferred to nearby store locations.
Plans called for Rite Aid to open a temporary trailer at the 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard location to serve customers’ prescription needs while the store is rebuilt. The temporary facility will also offer an assortment of over-the-counter medicines and everyday items, including snacks and beverages.
Demolition and clean up at the site has begun, and construction is expected to be completed by late summer.
“Rite Aid has long been a part of the Baltimore community, and we know how much our customers rely on us for their health and wellness needs as well as every day needs,” stated Bob Thompson, executive vice president of operations at Rite Aid. “It’s important that our customers know we stand with them during this difficult time, and we are committed to rebuilding our store to serve their needs for many years to come. I know I speak for all Rite Aid associates, especially those in Baltimore, when I say we look forward to opening the doors at our rebuilt store and welcoming back our customers later this summer.”
Rite Aid operates 30 stores in the city of Baltimore and another 70 stores in the surrounding area. The company employs about 800 associates in its stores and regional office.
The rioting was triggered by the April 19 death of Gray, a 25-year-old African-American man who died after suffering a spinal cord injury while in police custody. Six city police officers have been charged in his death.
A major protest was held in downtown Baltimore on April 25 and became violent, resulting in arrests and injuries. After Gray’s funeral on April 27, the unrest intensified with looting and arson. That day, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and summoned the National Guard to Baltimore.
