The CVS located at the corner of 8491 Santa Monica Blvd @ La Cienega may be on the chopping block. The chain which operates just shy of 10,000 stores nationwide announced the closure of 900 locations through calendar year 2026.
A manager at the CVS located at 8490 Beverly @ La Cienega declined to comment on the store closures that are anticipated but noted that the Beverly location is one of the top-grossing stores in the region.
WEHOville spoke with one employee at the Santa Monica @ La Cienega location who did not want her name used but expressed concern over the problems with the homeless. The City of West Hollywood recently purchased the Holloway Motel located next to this CVS to turn it into a permanent homeless transition facility.
CVS, which stands for {Consumer Value Store- updated}. care-value-service, is one of the largest pharmacy chains in the world with a number of locations around West Hollywood. The locations at 8490 Beverly and 8000 Sunset at Crescent Heights are both in the City of Los Angeles on the tips of West Hollywood. Neither of these location are subject to the Minimum Wage Ordinance that was recently created in West Hollywood.
The closing of CVS at the corner of Santa Monica and La Cienega would be another big blow to West Hollywood’s business community. Since the minimum wage ordinance was enacted a number of businesses have left West Hollywood citing the hardship of absorbing the provisions for sick time and vacation for part time workers. Vacancy rates among West Hollywood retail storefronts have reached an all-time high in 2023.
Costs to implement the minimum wage provisions would create an unequal playing field among employees who work for CVS. The CVS WeHo location is forced to absorb higher costs and sick and vacation time that can add up to $10,000 per employee.
WEHOville attempted to reach the corporate office for clarification on the closures. District Manager Ric Gurse promptly returned the call to say that he is not aware of any closings in this district at the time. He noted that the company’s location at Santa Monica and La Cienega is doing ‘well’, but there are issues at that site with the homeless. “Our staff is trained to deal with the homeless professionally”.
When questioned about the provisions of the minimum wage that create a 2-tier system among the CVS employees in WeHO or just a few blocks away. “CVS will follow the all rules and regulations governing the minimum wage ordinance” he said. We spoke to an employee at the CVS WeHo who was unaware of the new rules that govern their sick and vacation pay which create a pay, and benefit inequity among CVS employees with the same job working just blocks apart.
CVS issued the following statement regarding store closures: “Maintaining access to pharmacy services in the communities we serve is an important factor we consider when making store closure decisions” “Other factors include local market dynamics, population shifts, a community’s store density, and ensuring there are other geographic access points to meet the needs of the community.”
CVS is NOT closing but ONLY the Minute Clinics.
The addresses you prove for the LA City based CVS locations are both wrong. They are 8000 Sunset Blvd (NOT 9000 Sunset) and 8490 Beverly Blvd (NOT 8491 Beverly.)
updated, thanks
No, it is not. It was upgraded to a Health Hub from a minute clinic and it has one if the highest prescription ratio counts in LA. The Sunset and Crescent Heights location is more likely on a review list, but given the urban density all locations make sense.
The homeless at this CVS has been a problem for over 15 years. The stench of urine in the parking lot is disgusting and I had complained to the on-site store manager on more than one occasion. I often felt unsafe during the day when I used to shop there. That elevator was out of order frequently and I even got stuck in it once.
Again- There is no indication this CVS is closing.
Can we stop the fear mongering?
Why does it seem like some of you WANT it to close? What are you getting out of this? So bizarre.
We lost our Rite Aid on La Brea. Nearest one is on Fairfax and Sunset.
The Gateway Plaza has lots of empty spaces.
if you look for CVS in West Hollywood, this location at La Cienega at Santa Monica boulevard is already off the map. I’m sure Madame Mayor Shine and Dr Pearl Erickson are already considering having the city by the building. To be called the
West Hollywood Lindsay Horvath Drag performing Queen museum.
Of course it’s going to close. It’s next door to a homeless flop House. Created by the WEHO political hacks along with City bureaucrats who don’t even live here. Who are all overpaid and probably would never get a job in Private industry. Besides come it’s a major crime area. The last time I went to Weho Bistro (next door to CVS) there was some crazy homeless woman who was nude and she was defecating across the street. The waiters laughed and said it happens all the time… and the city of West Hollywood doesn’t give a sh😂t!
Tweet – you said it…. and saved me the effort. I am certain that the Suits at CVS HQ were ecstatic when they learned of their proximity to a flophouse (next door)….and ooh-la-la; that underground garage so close and so open! What a bonus for the residents who will have just a few feet to go in search of a nice secluded hidey hole. When do you think the iHop will decamp? And what about Sal’s tidy little park? My feeling – and it is not just my own – is that the only people who are delighted with this… Read more »
Do we actually know who dreamt up this idea? Was it Horvath as her “positive solution to homelessness” that she actually walked away from once the idea was in motion so as to not retain any of the residual should it fail down the road? We know Rabid Sepi Shyne would have been in lock step with her, anxious for applause but avoiding responsibility, and Erickson anxious for any glory that flows in his direction. The death squad of West Hollywood.
you sound like a prig- or an uptight queen
Uptight? I detest both the Republican and Democrat parties. They are run by wall street, corporations, slimy CEO’s, lawyers, the military industrial complex and the non taxpaying religious industrial complex along with the lowest form of humanity… politicians. Like Madame Mayor Shine, Dr. Pearl Erickson, Chelsea “valley girl” Byers, John “Ed Buck” Heilman and Lauren “Townnscape” Meister. And of course that WEHO has been Lindsey Horvath!!!
“The City of West Hollywood recently purchased the Holloway Motel located next to this CVS to turn it into a permanent homeless transition facility.”
The beginning of the END of West Hollywood as a decent place to live.
They should incarcerate Madame Mayor Shine and Dr. Pearl Erickson at the Holloway Motel for reality rehabilitation treatment since they are from another planet! Oshkosh-Iran!
Revolver came back to West Hollywood after a hiatus, so they ought to make that CVS location into a roller rink nightclub again, as it was when it was Flippers.
“ Neither of these location are subject to the Minimum Wage Ordinance that was recently created in West Hollywood.” So why does this story seemed to focused on the ordinance when it would not factor into there decision to close?
I believe you are incorrect, this CVS location is a West Hollywood location & subject to all relevant minimum wage, vacation, & sick leave requirements as stated in the article.
Why any business is in WeHo is one of the world’s mysteries. High taxes, mandated minimum wages, theft, crime, graffiti and a general nasty attitude from customers just to name a few reasons I relocated.
Not really a mystery: One of the only walkable neighborhoods in Los Angeles, high income residents, central to LA County, high percentage with college degrees, national name recognition, the entertainment industry, a rich history in LGBT rights and protests etc…
Despite the seeming attributes you mentioned, West Hollywood has consistently low standards. Things in this town may be expensive but are decidedly not classy.
80% of WH residents rent. That’s not high income. BH & Brentwood are high income.
“80% of WH residents rent. That’s not high income”
This makes no sense at all. I just have to laugh.
You have to have a high income to afford the rent in West Hollywood. You sound like some ignorant elitist who thinks that only poor people rent.
Likely has more to do with lack of inventory.
Developers fund our city council members campaigns, in return they rubber-stamp large apartment developments.
Meanwhile, good luck trying to convert existing rental stock to TIC’s or Condo’s.
You failed to address any item listed. It is implicit that you agree. College degrees? Who judges a place with ‘national name recognition’ as a good place to live. Compton has name recognition, would you live there? Just asking not judging, making a point. Entertainment? The big money is in BH and Brentwood and SM and Malibu. That IS the entertainment industry. WH has what I listed of which you have agreed, albeit implicitly. But agreed nonetheless. You list things that matter none to people trying run a business and live their lives in peace without be mugged, assaulted or… Read more »
This was in response to why a business would want to open here. Not judging “a good place to live”.
Name recognition plays a huge part for big brands. Glad I could teach you something!
Son, you have taught noting to no-one. One thing is common with your posts. You argue with EVERYONE and deflect and argue points not in question. With over 7 decades of life I’ve learned to spot ignorance and you have not escaped that detection. Have fun in ‘name recognition-vile’.
The whole topic was why a business would open here. And you somehow thought I was listing reasons why Weho “is a good place to live”
Don’t reply to me if you can’t keep on topic.
WEHO Walkable? Down Santa Monica Blvd? A long strip mall. Sunset Strip crossing La Cienega? I never see anyone walking there unless they want to get mugged. Most of the big names were before it became a city. Now it is really ordinary LXBTWA crapola.