CVS has confirmed plans to close its longtime store at 65 Central St. in Wellesley Square come Nov. 27, just after Black Friday.
CVS has had a shop in the Square since at least the early 1980s, according to a review of old newspaper archives.
Here’s the statement CVS issued about the closing:
“We have made the difficult business decision to close the CVS Pharmacy store located at 65 Central St in Wellesley on November 27. The closure of this store is not a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our employees. In fact, every effort will be made to place them into comparable roles at other CVS locations nearby. All prescriptions will be seamlessly transferred to the CVS Pharmacy located at 25 Washington Street, ensuring that pharmacy customers continue to have uninterrupted access to service. Customers may also visit our other Wellesley locations on Linden St. and Washington St. for their prescription needs, or easily transfer prescriptions to a CVS location most convenient to them. We understand the disappointment of our closing store’s neighbors and customers. We are committed to the Wellesley area and will continue to provide the community with outstanding service at our other stores nearby.”
CVS also has a Wellesley location on Rte. 9 east near Boston Sports Institute.
The Central Street location recently was among the many businesses locally posting a help wanted sign on its storefront.
We reached out to property manager Linear Retail to ask if there’s any word about what might fill the space. Evan Eisenhardt said the firm is disappointed CVS is leaving given its longevity there, and doesn’t know what will replace it yet. “We have a very positive view of downtown Wellesley and are optimistic about finding a desirable tenant for the space,” he said.
A perfect opportunity for Walgreens to fill in since there is not a single Walgreens in Wellesley.
In another lifetime, this location was a 5 and 10 store.
That side of Central St included Olken’s, Popover’s, Bob Decter’s shoes, Pond’s Camera, Reliable Tailoring, ESSO gas station. Bailey’s, Kasper Pilobosian rugs, and the Hathaway House bookshop.
The other side included Coward Shoes, SS Pierce, Howard Johnson’s, Filenes, Ara’s mens shop. The Music Box was tucked in behind Filenes.
The Wellesley News Agency and Dorothy Muriel’sbakery were in the square below, on Washingtion St.
The Wellesley Supermarket and Corkum’s hardware were where Smith and Wollensky are. A penny candy store was at the location of the Dover Saddlery.
Seiler’s restaurnat was at the corner of Grove and Washington.
Lambro’s barbershop was on Crest Rd, near a candlepin bowling alley.
Thanks Richard, love learning the history, Bob
I’d be happier with the Woolworth’s returned to that spot to order French fries from the lunch counter.
I won’t shed a tear for CVS.
I choose other vendors despite any inconvenience.
Banking, real estate, gone are the days of strolling through Wellesley Square to window shop! Shame. Between the school system and the downtown area one wonders…
Funny how it’s always the old timers who express such sentiments. Whoever said “the only constant in life is change” was onto something …
Just as long as it is not another bank…
There used to be some nice stores years and years ago. Baily’s Ice Cream Marco Polo, Olkin’s, too bad every thing is online.
Soon the Wellesley’s downtown will be a ghost town… so sad. This town is definitely not what it used to be.
I’d say that about Earth in general. The atmosphere isn’t what it used to be.
So sorry to see it go.. great people work there. I hope they all land in good place .
Not landing at CVS would be best. The company is utterly. Atrocious to its employees.
Another one bites the dust….