Zoom: Show me verbatim where I said I'm angry? You must be the one angry because I don't go along with group think? Not once has anyone said that 5 Walgreens is sustainable in the economic condition we are in, even the city understands this. Lets jump up and down for jobs that will just get replaced in a different location more than likely. Sorry if I'm not excited but this isn't growth.

Your apparent anger at the opening of another Walgreens location is misplaced. Walgreens also employs full time managers, pharmacists, and pharmacy techs. I'm not sure how anyone could be upset about that.

Zoom:"Aaahhh, now it makes sense. You lost your job, and you're angry. Your anger is misplaced."

No I'm upset because of the inability(lost of good paying jobs for hard labor) for some one else young and full of ambition to work hard and make enough money to pull themselves into a better economic condition with out the mentality that resides today in the service industry.
Btw, before you go spouting off at the mouth about what you think I had a plan and left the job before it was eliminated. It's called looking at what is going on around you. Try it some time. Who knows if we all did how far we could get.

richardcranium posted this "And apparently you live in an nearby township on a mini-farm or your own 5 acre piece of americana which wastes a precious resourse and contaminates the environment with your septic tank? Enjoy your rural subdivision and it's evironmentally unfriendly way of life."

Evansvillehousewife IF YOUR GOING TO CALL SOMEONE OUT GET THE CORRECT POSTER!

You Gazette readers tickle me.
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If you get this worked up about a new drug store opening, ya'll need to get a life.

Rep of 1 blathered: Apparently you live in an nearby township on a mini-farm or your own 5 acre piece of americana which wastes a precious resourse and contaminates the environment with your septic tank?

Um, please elaborate... as an organic mini-farm owner myself, I'd like to know how raising my own eggs, milk, and vegetables is harder on the environment rather than relying on factory farms that overcrowd animals, rely on petroleum based fuels to transport the products, and lace the groundwater with antibiotics?

I'd also like to hear your creative theories about how septic systems are environmentally harmful when their sewage is delivered to the same wastewater treatment plant that processes your city water. Have you any concept of how a leach field works, or that people that live in the city use the toilet as well?

Seriously... when a person owns 5 acres, what resource is being wasted? I am curious... do you want to see city blocks on that 5 acres or pesticide bathed conventional crops?

"Unfortunately the job that gave me the ability to save and pay my own way has been eliminated."

Aaahhh, now it makes sense. You lost your job, and you're angry. Your anger is misplaced.

I wasn't aware they were still offering the apprentice program thats why I didn't mention it. I thought about doing that before I found my current job.

Rep_of_1: Walgreens also has apprentice programs that will pay for some schooling as well. That way if you are interested in Pharmaceutical they will train you on the job and pay for classes needed to get a certificate and make a life for yourself. That is the best for everyone.

Do you people not know why we need another Walgreens?? Duh look at Madison or Milwaukee there is at least one on every corner less than a mile or two apart (ok that is just my opinion) They just want to keep up with the Joanses!! And when I pull it up on Google maps Madison shows 10 but lets not start counting all the suburbs that surround it...

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What is it hurting letting them spend their money to open more stores? If they make a profit great. If they don't some stores will have to close. I could care less as long as they don't ask for a bailout when their business model fails.

Do you people not know why we need another Walgreens?? Duh look at Madison or Milwaukee there is at least one on every corner less than a mile or two apart (ok that is just my opinion) They just want to keep up with the Joanses!! And when I pull it up on Google maps Madison shows 10 but lets not start counting all the suburbs that surround it...

I also want to add that debt is not the greatest but if its for something that will make your life better its not that bad either. Also people who pay for their own education usually stick it out and are better students. Better students tend to be better job applicants.Not everyone is born with a silver spoon so all their education is paid for. The national debt is a lot different than personal debt. I pay my personal debt as I'm sure you do to.

I agree 100% that starting out in debt is not the greatest option but unfortunately sometimes its the only option unless you want to work at Walmart or Walgreens. The days of the overpaid autoworker are over. I don't like the debt option either but reality has to kick in some time.

If they close the five points store...maybe we can get a taco joint in there.

Anonomouse: you miss interrupted what I wrote. However I agree that college is the answer. My last job supported me enough to earn a living wage and an ability to save enough on my own to pay my way though college. Starting your life in debt in this economy is not the most intelligent thing I can think of but it seems to be the American way. What's a trillion or two?

rep of 1 if you really want to go to college you will find a way. It might not be easy but look for grants and if all else fails there are always student loans. I was a single parent in one of these crappy jobs and was able to get an education with pell grants and student loans. It took me looking for it. No one's going to knock on your door and offer it. And like you I did not have a job to pay for my education. I had to get off my duff and do it myself.

I support my entire statement. People should go to college. There will always be jobs that don't pay much. The jobs are still necessary and looked at in the proper prospective they are stepping stones. I doubt anyone thinks as working at Walgreens as a career decision and most people with ambition work them for money and work experience while they are working to better themselves. People who don't do anything to better themselves, well, thats their choice.

anonomouse: You agree that going to college is the answer,you agree that working at Walgreens will not support going to college but yet still accept your mentality? So which is it? A business that will afford you to work hard and make enough money to go to college or living at home with mom and dad expecting them to pay your way? I never once implied not working is an option. Unfortunately the job that gave me the ability to save and pay my own way has been eliminated. No its not gm or related so the next kid to come along doesn't have that oppurtinity.

It may not support their college education but its a job to provide some money while they are going to college and who is to say they don't live with mom and dad? Then it would pay for college. To bad more people didn't look at these types of jobs as opportunities instead of thinking they are above them. Even if the job doesn't lead to the hospital directly it shows a solid work history. I have more respect for someone working this job trying to make it than someone who sits home and cries poor me.

Macdady: If you seriously think working at a unskilled position at Walgreens is a stepping stone to work in a hospital you're right out of your mind. In case you forget they have institutions called colleges. Don't even think that an unskilled position at Walgreens is going to remotely support a person attending college either.

I went to a Walgreens store a few years ago with a very bad cold.Coughing,stuffed up head,nausea...the works.I asked the pharmacist to help me pick out something to help yet not knock me out cuz I had to go to work.This guy asked me if I smoked.Taken aback,I said yes.He said I should quit smoking and would not help me.Hurt and embarrassed,I grabbed Dayquil and left.What right did he have to treat me so badly? I have never been to a Walgreens since!!!!BTW,I had the flu. Nothing to do with smoking! Everyone gets the flu,smokers or not !

Craigholmes: You almost have a valid point but the reality is your looking right in front of your face and not at the future. You said it best "Typical Janesville mentality." What can I get today from the economy. Who cares what it takes to change the situation(recession) we are in right now,when we can just add to the problem. Never mind thinking that a substantiating business could go in there. We are no longer a nation that produces and it is biting us all in pocket book. I am very glad the hospital is coming in as it is a positive cash flow local business. It will give out more to the community with good paying skilled jobs than hoarding it back to some where else.

Actually most prices in chain stores are set from corporate and the local economy isn't the deciding factor in setting the prices. The prices will be the same at Walgreens if CVS is down the block or not.

Zoom: So your unable to understand that five Walgreens in a relatively small town may have some impact on CVS staying or folding? In case you forget many different stores keep prices competitive.

OMG! Did I see another TheJoker post with information from his "sources"?? Give me a break.

When ever I drive by the 5 points Walgreens, all I see is unsavory characters (I won't go in to detail as I don't want to be called a "racist" by the leftist clog wearing socialist on this blog)hanging around there crossing back and forth between there and the gas stations.

Calm down Janesville won't be covered with Walgreens. If stores don't turn a profit they will close. If they do they may expand or add more. I highly doubt Janesville has a population that can afford to support a covering of the city with Walgreens stores. *rolls eyes*

At this rate, J'town will be totally covered by Walgreens stores by 2023!!!

They could just do what Planned Parenthood does and lie about what the building is going to be used for on the permit application to get the building built, and then just go ahead with their plans once its up.
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Its worked for them.
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I stopped going to the 5 points walgreens when I was asked twice by the same guy no less just two days apart, that he needed gas money. Claimed he was from out of town and needed a couple of bucks to get back home. As I walked to the store after turning him down, he walked to the apts accross the street. Another lady told me he lived there (she knew this because he is her unemployed neighbor), and everyday he was bothering people for money to get back home. So much for being a in need out of towner and in reality he was just a beggar.
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Another time I whittnesed a group of young men wandering the parking lot and testing car doors to see if they were locked. I notified the store personel and I believe they called the poice to check it out, but of course by that time they got there, they were gone.
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I also have a realitive that lives down near there as well and she says it is terrible the way the riff raft bother people as they come in the store. And although she used to love to be able to walk there to get her meds and groceries she dosnt anymore...she dosn't feel safe!
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Oh and by the way I like walgreens, I have never had a problem with our perscriptions, and hubby takes A LOT of them. I hope they do build on Court St by Pizza Hut. It certainly would be nice for those that live on the west side to be able to go there.

Typical Janesville mentality.

Lets see: Walgreens is going to provide an additonal tax base, employment both during construction and during operation, and it will clean up a currently vacant property.

Yep, your right, this is the worst thing for Janesville.

Progress, go away, we would rather be a stagnant community with rising unemployment. Thanks anyway!

Rep_of_1: Many GM workers and people that worked for suppliers of GM are unskilled. and they need jobs, so them getting a job at a place that is hiring, stable, and going to be here for a long time. In case you forgot we are also getting a new hospital and speculation is that Health Care is one of the better industries to get into, so do not fault anyone for starting out at a Walgreens. Who knows where that can lead to and in the mean time, they make some money which is better than sitting at home on their computers, looking at these comment boards and complaining about all the jobs in the Janesville, excuse me, the over saturated stores that employ citizens. Remember, Rock County has the highest unemployment rate in the entire state and the highest Unskilled labor rate. Jobs are jobs and any job is a blessing right now.

I'll be happy to go to a Walgreen's store on the west side. Can we also get a dept. store of some sort? And some restaurants that are not fast food or bars?

Ok you are getting a new store, if you don't like it don't shop there. End of argument. See how common sense and life out of Janesville solves the dilemma?

The way things are, any new business, is good business. I think people are going to be real surprised when the see what is going to take place on that side of town in the future. The Westgate project is going to eventually transform that side of town into something. In case some of you don't know what Westgate is, Mr Hendricks was involved with many other business owners in creating a plan that would update that side of town. This is a step in that direction.

"So it is not Walgreens intention to pull customers from a small CVS store out by building right next to them? Yeah and Super Wal-Mart never ran mom and pop grocery stores out of town too right?"

Your concern for CVS is touching. Here are some "facts" about "little" CVS (which I like just as well as Walgreens, BTW).

Quick Facts
190,000 Employees

Headquarters located in Woonsocket, R.I.

Approximately $80 billion in annual revenue

Ranked 24th on Fortune 500 for 2008

No. 1 provider of prescriptions in the nation – More than 1 billion prescriptions filled or managed annually

No. 1 Specialty Pharmacy

Largest employer of Pharmacists and Nurse Practitioners

No. 1 in Store Count – 6,300 CVS/pharmacy stores in 40 states

4+ million customers per day shop at a CVS/pharmacy store

No. 1 Retail Pharmacy Sales per square foot

No. 1 Retail Clinic Operator – 500+
MinuteClinic locations in 25 states

More than 1.8 million MinuteClinic patient visits to date

No. 1 Retail Loyalty Program – 50+ million ExtraCare customers
http://www.cvscaremark.com/our-company/c...

Location, Location, Location. Stores move or build where they believe there will be sales or opportunity. They either make it or they don't. It's called change by some, progress by others and a few just call it whatever.
If the west side of town doesn't support the the new store, it will close and inventually something else will go in.
No big deal. Right now it is the little steps that will keep this community going for the time being.
Let's not condemm before the fact.

I agree with Newswacko. Instead of questioning the decision of building another store, welcome the chance for a few more jobs in town. If you have your personal reasons for not liking Walgreens, then don't patronize them. You are entitled to your opinion. But, obviously, many people do shop there or they wouldn't be so busy, like the Milton Av. store at Blackbridge.

I tend to agree that the so Walgreen's and auto parts stores seem a bit much in such a small city. However, I've never had a problem with Walgreen's. I'm guessing they've done studies on the demographics of the area and feel as though there will be enough demand to justify another store. What bothers me, is that no matter how many Walgreen's open, the one on Milton Ave/Blackbridge is still overly busy.

"Any business that believes they can make money in Janesville in the wake of the GM closure should be welcomed."

Great now lets spawn a development for businesses to support what we have instead of building something that draws more cash than it returns.

Um last time I looked drugs are not free? You have to have decent paying jobs with heath care in order to have money to spend at a pharmacy.

There seems to me to be lacking positive cash flow market careers. We have enough min wage clerk retail jobs as is. A couple dozen at best pharmacist jobs is not nearly enough when the rest of the store is unskilled.

wow, ignorance is prevalent on this topic. As stated by another poster, Walgreens business model is about traffic flow. They do not place a store to replace another (with the Milton Ave by Blackbridge as an exception). Adding one to West Court would be meant to draw traffing from the far west and southwest sides of the city. 5 points targets the center of the city.

As far as a monopoly, who are you kidding? In addition to the stand-alone stores mentioned, most of the grocery stores, wal-mart, and target all fill prescriptions as well.

Get a clue folks. Any business that believes they can make money in Janesville in the wake of the GM closure should be welcomed.

The road to recovery is paved one foot at a time.

How does Walgreens have a monopoly?
They are huge influence on pharmaceuticals market not just little old Janesville. The negative opinions written below lead me to believe not many want another Walgreens?
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So it is not Walgreens intention to pull customers from a small CVS store out by building right next to them? Yeah and Super Wal-Mart never ran mom and pop grocery stores out of town too right?

If you think for one second zoning has not been corrupted by big business. You live under a rock.
I'll keep my fresh air and land spreading far and wide.

"Why is the competition ie:CVS not building?"

Maybe you should ask CVS. BTW, CVS already has a store right across the street from the new walgreens location.

"Walgreens runs a monopoly with huge over head and their prices show."

CVS has two stores in Janesville. Walgreens has four. Kealey was also mentioned. How does Walgreens have a monopoly?

rep-of-1...

Zoning doesn't dictate that way, it would be the comprehensive plan (land use plan) that determines commercial land uses vs. residential neighborhoods. And if you had not noticed, the property is already commercial so it is pretty unlikely that the City will zone it for residential use.
And apparently you live in an nearby township on a mini-farm or your own 5 acre piece of americana which wastes a precious resourse and contaminates the environment with your septic tank? Enjoy your rural subdivision and it's evironmentally unfriendly way of life.

"That is a market driven decision" Hahahahahaha.
Not since the bail outs begun. Supply and demand days are short lived when the government can and will play with the market. The same as zoning can dictate if a residential neighborhood or a commercial development will be employed. So yet the zoning can dictate what and who will go where. Enjoy the city life and its restrictions.

Hey opinionsforfree....

Apparently your opinion shouldn't mean a whole lot because people doing the planning and zoning do not decide who can come and develop or not. That is a market driven decision unless you live in California and if you have not realized it, this isn't Cali....

If you know so much about what should be permitted to come to Janesville, then you should be out marketing the City to companies you want to see or starting your own business.

"But maybe this will be an opportunity to take the land for a Five Points roundabout...."

This kind of nonsense shall be a moot point when people complain daily of the inability of most Janesvillians to drive.

Both Walgreens and CVS want to be the #1 drugstore chain in the country (and CVS is actually winning right now). Both have used "oversaturation" store placement as a means to grab market share and so far Walgreens is holding on to Janesville. That said, a new store on Court is almost certainly too close to the Five Points.
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We are in a recession, likely a deep one, but the timing of the new store opening and the old one presumably closing (i.e. not until 2010) is probably not affected by that. With the Hendricks development on the other side of Center it will still be an attractive location. (In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see the 100 and 150 blocks of Center -- the car wash and used car dealer -- get redeveloped.) Also, two-way traffic as eventually envisioned for Court and Milwaukee will make it more accessible. I don't think the city need be too concerned, unless the economy continues to get dramatically worse, but in that case more than Five Points will be a concern.
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But maybe this will be an opportunity to take the land for a Five Points roundabout....

Please read my post under the Walgreen's story/popular discussions in the WCLO section of this website. Comments?

Im not saying that we need another Walgreens or autoparts,check cashing or what have you but fact is. If it brings a few more jobs that arent here right now, then I welcome any store that helps out. Argue the point all you want but when you look at how many people are unemployed it speaks for itself. If you all are so upset about another walgreens, then you should be mad that Buffalo Wild Wings is opening up. Hey its just another restaurant next thing Janesville will only be places to eat and fix your car and get household things and your meds. Sit back and think for a second, maybe its not the city with their head up their ____???????

We need another Walgreens like we need another park. Why is the competition ie:CVS not building? Walgreens runs a monopoly with huge over head and their prices show. I'll take Woolworths back anyday.

Kealey is the best choice downtown and the surrounding area for prescriptions. Mark does an excellent job with customer service and is concerned about his customers. Walgreens is good for things that Kealey doesn't have. Just my opinion.

I have gone to Walgreen's for years and have never had a prescription problem, and I get a LOT of prescriptions! My only complaint is that the Pharmacy on Blackbridge is so SLOW!

For the Walgreen's management, is there REALLY a need for another in Janesville? If the need was that great, wouldn't someone be building another Wal-Mart and other big box stores? Why not look into other population densities that don't have one, i.e. Milton, Orfordville, Brodhead? I like the comment that someone made about Janesville, city of Walgreen's, parts stores, restaurants, but they also need to add used car lots to that too.

Walgreens probably does it's homework and must feel that another store on the West side would be profitable, regardless of what some may think. I get all of my family's prescriptions at Walgreens. Never have had a problem. I have found the pharmacy staff at ALL the locations to be helpful and friendly. Remember, it is not their fault if your insurance doesn't accept a med, or if there has been some change in your insurance since your last trip to the pharmacy. They do get very busy at times... maybe they need to build another store to lighten the load. The store also has some good sales on non-pharmacy items. Watch their ad in Sunday 's paper.

In this economy, anyone willing to open new business, and employ more people should be encouraged. Maybe some of the people laid off will get a job and support their family. Isn't that worth it?

I had heard they were going to close the Walgreens at 5 point because of the problems with some of the customers there? Maybe they need to shut down the trashy gas station across the street from it instead. Years ago, I used that station all of the time, now it is a bit too scary..

So this is how the rumors get started??!!
There has been the rumor since shortly after the five points one opened that it would close. I dont see why. It is always busy. The rumor was it would close because old people were afraid to go there because it was to close to the "riff raff".If youre so scared somebody might get you go somewhere else I say.My parents are weird like this they wont go downtown at night. WHATEVER. Once when we went to eat at the bistro we did see a 30ish year old driving a dirt bike in his boxers only. that was a bit strange. We saw a cop down their and he thought it was weird too but didnt seem to want to check it out.
If they close theyre not really expanding like they said they were are they?

I stand by my sources!
You are just jealous of my success!
I suggest you wait and see how right I really am!
I wish people would give me the respect and appreciation I deserve!

"Price said the Five Points store serves the neighborhood well with pharmaceutical and grocery supplies"
Keely's serves the neighborhood well, and has been doing it for a lot longer than Walgreen's. I usually go to Keely's. Let Walgreen's do what they want.

God aren't there enough of these stores. Soon Janesville will be autoparts,walgreens,dollar, check cashing stores. who ever does the planning or zoning needs to pull their headout of their ____

Zoom, Bed Bath and Beyond was on the drawing board but was dropped to due the dire financial straights Janesville is going through. Don't question my sources again. You will just continue to look foolish.

We do not need another Walgreens. Or another store selling sub sandwiches. We need light industry in this city!

SarahB...I also was told the same by someone that worked there(5 points)It was also my understanding when the 5 points opened it was going to be a 24 hour store.When they build the new one on Center ave I thought the 5 points was going to close.CVS stores are going back in in Beloit.Beloit store was closed and now they have a new one 2 blocks away.I like CVS over Walgreens myself.Sales are great !!!

That's all this city needs...another Walgreen's to screw up our prescriptions. I don't know many folks who get correct prescriptions dispensed from Walgreen's, and I work with a staff of nurses. Can we please, for the love of all that's holy, get something other than a pharmacy or autoparts store?!!

"Why does Janesville need yet another Walgreens or any other pharmacy for that matter?"

I'm wondering why anyone would care. Competition is good. Walgreens obviously thinks it's a good idea.

They will need new city signs too:
"Welcome to Janesville-City of Walgreens"

TheJoker
Jul 19, 2008 at 7:48 p.m.
My source tells me it is going to be Bed Bath & Beyond. A smaller version of Sears(like the one they have in Beloit now) was strongly considered but there was too much concern about GM closing that the plan was dropped. Look for an announcement by the end of the month.
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/jul...

Intheloop: Where did you hear that information?

The current four Walgreens locations do not compete with each other, they compete with the competition. For instance, if the Walgreens stores on Milton avenue closed, customers would not travel to five points, they would simply go to CVS or Logli on Milton Avenue for prescriptions, or the several gas stations for convenience items.

Also, there is enough traffic on Milton avenue to justify two Walgreens stores. The new location near Boucher Chrysler would attract a lot more highway traffic than the store down by Blackbridge.

The Walgreens business model has always been to get the best high traffic location possible, even if that means closing a store just blocks away. Remember that the Walgreens at Milton Ave and Blackbridge used to be accross the street, next to Big Lots. Their method of selecting store locations has made them very successful.

Actually, the plan is to close the one at five points because the shoplifting is so bad.

Why do they need 3 within such a close proximity: 1.)new, 2.)5 point, and 3.)across from Pick-N-Save??? IF they build this new one, I fear they will close the one at 5 points. That would really be sad for the 4th Ward area residents.

Why does Janesville need yet another Walgreens or any other pharmacy for that matter?

why would walgreens have built the 2nd milton avenue store knowing they were going to build one on the west side. i guess that's a good question for my walgreens brother-in-law in charge of customer relations