By Arianna Alvarez, Staff Writer
Millbrae’s Lucky and El Camino Walgreens will be permanently closing its doors this November 3rd and 8th, respectively. According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, these decisions are the result of unrelenting theft in Millbrae, and plans to repurpose the building as a mixed-use housing project have been drafted.
A current employee at Walgreens who wished to remain anonymous, shared stories from what she had seen on her shifts with the Thunderbolt: “There would be at least one shoplifter present, with repeat offenders appearing once a week.”
Recounting shoplifting occurrences eventually became a pastime for her, as sadly, “Most of the time, it wasn’t a matter of if it had happened but when it had happened.” Even when witnessing offenders making a dash for the exit carrying large and expensive quantities of wine, she was helpless to report the crime to deputies who seldom enforced policy. “We can’t really do much to stop it other than reporting to our shift leads.”
Although unfortunate, these occurrences were not completely unexpected by residents around the area. Not only from the general increase in crime around Millbrae, but also from the lasting impacts of COVID-19, many local stores have been struggling to recover to their former states. Businesses who lack the resources or proper management to do so have been left prey to the current economic climate, and Walgreens and Lucky are among the more popular chains who have been widely affected.
Moreover, the Walgreens and Lucky were important resources for many residents and students due to their convenient proximity to Mills and surrounding neighborhoods. Their absence will be felt among community members.
A aforementioned Walgreens employee explained that the upcoming shutdown will be affecting her everyday life. She shared, “My family will have to alter one of our major habits significantly. My mom was able to send money to my family in Latin America at the Western Union Kiosk inside.” Though the employee’s mother has found alternative ways to send money , the kiosk’s technology is more accessible to her, especially because she could easily operate it without the help of others.
In light of the recent shutdown, the interviewed employee will be transferred to another Walgreens by the time of the shutdown. On the other hand, a Mills student who would also like to remain anonymous said she thinks the recent theft that has been happening in Millbrae has made a big impact on the shopping experience in stores. Measures such as having many items locked up or leaving large bags by the front door, all in order to prevent theft, have altered the store environments significantly: “In my opinion it isn’t fun because now we have to ask for an employee to get out the thing you want. It’s not like before where you can check things out.”
She shared that she would sometimes go to these stores to get snacks with her friends after school. However, workers now ask her to leave her backpack in the front near the registers while she walks around the store. Ms. Mack, a counselor here at Mills High found out about the shut down a couple of months ago. She has not witnessed any theft while shopping here but in her opinion, she prefers to shop at other groceries like Safeway or alternative Walgreens locations due to better selection and pricing.
Although the closing of Lucky and Walgreens is affecting the locals, the new mixed-housing development may improve the community and lower theft in Millbrae. According to City Manager Tom Williams, residents receive a density benefit for affordable housing, and the building height may reach approximately 85 feet, enabling it to reach a height up to 125 feet. As we await the new construction to commence, we can reflect on these local store’s contributions to Millbrae and their untimely closure.
