London Drugs closing Woodward's location, citing safety incidents and losses

London Drugs will shutter its store in the Woodward’s building on the edge of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, citing “persistent safety incidents and significant operating losses” in the troubled neighbourhood.

The location will close Feb. 1, the company confirmed to Postmedia on Wednesday.

In an emailed statement, London Drugs president and chief operating officer Clint Mahlman said it was a “very difficult decision.”

“We are extraordinarily proud of the (Woodward’s location) team and grateful for their dedication. Over several years, we have faced persistent safety incidents and significant operating losses at this site. Despite extensive protective measures and close collaboration with local authorities, continued operations are not sustainable.”

London Drugs’ Woodward’s location opened in 2009 as an anchor tenant for the landmark redevelopment of the former department store on East Hastings and Abbott, part of a major effort to revitalize the nearby Downtown Eastside.

In an interview last year, Mahlman told Postmedia that the Woodward’s store has struggled with crime and violence in the years since opening, and London Drugs was weighing whether or not to cease operations there.

The London Drugs in Woodward’s has lost millions of dollars, Mahlman told Postmedia last year, and never made money.

“How much money are we expected to lose for the community benefit?” Mahlman said last year. “How many staff members do we have injured? And how many people have to transfer out of there?”

In Wednesday’s statement, London Drugs expressed gratitude to the Vancouver Police Department for its support, including targeted patrols, a neighbourhood liaison officer, and joint safety walk-throughs.

“These efforts, together with the company’s measures, reduced violent incidents against staff. Even with these improvements, customer traffic has not returned, and the store continues to incur significant losses, and the costs required to operate safely remain high,” the statement said.

London Drugs will support affected employees and customers through the transition, the company’s statement said.

More to come

dfumano@postmedia.com

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