New CVS/pharmacy to give ‘jolt to neighborhood economy’

For almost a decade, a stretch of commercial space along Liberty Avenue - just east of the intersection of Woodhaven and Rockaway Boulevard - remained empty and desolate, complete with a ramshackle parking lot free from would-be customers.
The lot, located at 97-01 Liberty Avenue remained an “eyesore” despite the burgeoning commerce around it within the past few years, said Councilmember Joseph Addabbo.
On Monday, January 22, however, the revamping of the empty lot was completed, and CVS Pharmacy held the grand opening of a new branch in the space, which will replace the CVS/pharmacy at 96-09 Liberty Avenue.
“When we think about the before and the after — before you have two empty lots … and now we have an incredible store that will give a jolt to the neighborhood economy with what it sells and what jobs it provides,” Addabbo said.
Addabbo said that the new CVS/pharmacy will have added amenities to accommodate different community members. “It’s great for families with small children and great for seniors as well,” he said. “It’s a win, win situation.”
CVS/pharmacy officials are also excited about the added services that the new store will provide - a pharmacy staffed by a supervising pharmacist from the neighborhood, a high-tech photo lab, a sizeable skin care section, modern equipment, and parking spaces.
“The pharmacist [James Murphy] has lived in the area and knows the customers on a first name basis,” said CVS/pharmacy District Manager Julius D’Amato, adding that he had been present for two other CVS/pharmacy openings in Queens during his four years with the company and could see how the surrounding neighborhoods grew as a result of the new stores.
“We do want to stay within the neighborhood and build the community because it is our neighborhood, and we want to support or customer needs,” D’Amato said.
Also on hand for the ribbon cutting were several other CVS/pharmacy officials - Regional Manager John Bohl; District Manager David Oliva; and Pharmacy District Supervisor Rob Schwartz.