CVS first national retailer to return to Lower Ninth Ward since Hurricane Katrina

NEW ORLEANS - CVS Pharmacy on Thursday returned to the Big Easy's Lower Ninth Ward, becoming the first major retailer to build in the neighborhood since Hurricane Katrina, the company stated. 

 

CVS Pharmacy's new store will serve as a building block in the revitalization of the Lower Ninth Ward, one of the hardest hit communities affected by Hurricane Katrina.

 

"CVS Pharmacy is extremely proud to now be a part of this community, giving residents convenient access to best in class pharmacy services and high quality health, beauty and wellness products," stated Roger Francis, area VP CVS Pharmacy. "More than 10 years ago, CVS Pharmacy was on the front lines of aiding in the relief and recovery efforts when Katrina struck, and now we are proud to be on the front lines helping to revitalize this community."

 

The new CVS Pharmacy location is more than 13,000 square feet and will feature drive thru pharmacy window service and a wide range of high quality health, beauty, personal care products and healthy snack options. In addition, twenty new jobs have been added within the community as staff at this new location.

 

Mayor Mitch Landrieu participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new store, located at 5000 North Claiborne Avenue. According to the Mayor, he and his administration have committed more than $500 million in recovery projects in the Lower Ninth Ward, including major road and infrastructure developments, along with new police and fire stations and a community center. 

 

"Today's celebration marks another milestone in the renewal and redevelopment of the historic Lower Ninth Ward," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. "This new CVS Pharmacy marks the first national retailer to come to the Lower Ninth Ward since Hurricane Katrina, bringing important services and resources to this underserved area. This is a major sign of the progress we're making in restoring the Lower Ninth Ward and rebuilding New Orleans not how she was, but how she always should have been."

 

After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, CVS Health and its Foundation donated more than $1 million in cash donations and supplies to the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations in order to assist with relief efforts for victims. 

 

Now, more than 10 years later, CVS Health continues to play an important role in New Orleans, working closely with officials in aiding the relief and recovery effort. This effort includes a $15,000 grant from CVS Health to be donated to the Baptist Community Health Services, a local nonprofit, to support their Chronic Disease Management program. BCHS and its physicians provide quality primary medical care for youth and adults in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, many of whom do not have regular access to basic health care, including an adult population that has significant chronic health problems.  

 

"As a provider of primary and behavioral health care in the Ninth Ward, we understand the strategic significance that CVS Pharmacy's investment has on our community," said Shawn Powers, CEO, Baptist Community Health Services. "Because of CVS' donation and commitment to the Ninth Ward, our community will have improved access to health care, prescriptions and related services.  Lives improve when companies like CVS invest in our neighborhood.  CVS Pharmacy is the type of partner NOLA's Ninth wants and needs. "