Money and drugs

They’re putting up a drugstore near me.

Big deal, huh?

Well, it is. And you know why?

Because they’re putting it right across the street from another drugstore.

Not only that, but within a four mile radius of my house, there are no less than five of just one kind of drug store, that I won't name (Walgreens). Now, an unnamed competitor (CVS) is setting up competing stores, sometimes right next to or across from their rivals.

What’s going on here?

Our town is lacking in certain type retailers, like the ones I want, and have way too many of others, like the ones I don’t. For instance, banks have sprouted up like pimples on a teenager. Gas stations litter every corner. But it’s the drugstores that are really doing most of the land grabbing.

Where we need a clothing store, we get a drugstore. Where we could use a hardware store, we get a drugstore. Where we could use a nice, new family dining establishment, we get a drugstore. Where we could use a drugstore, we get two drugstores.

So if you want money, no problem, you’ll find a bank within hocking distance. You’ll also have no problem finding a place to gas up. And, when you’re ready to spend, no problem, there’ll be a Walgreens nearby, ready to sell you toothpaste and cosmetics. Between banks, gas stations and pharmacies, we’re running out of places to put McDonald’s restaurants!

And worse, they’re crossbreeding! I saw a gas station that had a twenty-four hour bank teller, and it also carries makeup and other stuff you get from pharmacies. And the pharmacies are carrying toys, groceries and wild game meat. And banks with, er, um. Anyway, I digress.

It’s not that I have anything against Walgreens or other drugstores. We need them so that my daughters can spend my money on cosmetics. I’m just wondering if we need that many of them.
(Rumor has it that in some inner city neighborhoods, there’s actually the possibility that soon drugstores will outnumber drug dealers!)

Norm

www.normcowie.com (autographed books available!)

The Adventures of Guy
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