Walgreens Announces Connecticut Store Closings in 2026

Walgreens is shaking up the pharmacy scene in Connecticut again. This time, it’s the Old Lyme store on Halls Road that’s closing for good.

This move is part of a bigger downsizing trend across the state. Folks from Hartford to New Haven are starting to worry about how they’ll get prescriptions, health care, and daily essentials.

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Walgreens to Close Old Lyme Store in January 2026

The Walgreens at 90 Halls Road in Old Lyme will close permanently on January 27, 2026. The company, which already shut down more than a dozen Connecticut locations this year, confirmed the decision as it keeps retrenching nationwide.

For people in Old Lyme, this store has been a handy place for meds, over-the-counter fixes, and basic home goods. Losing the pharmacy will sting not just for this shoreline town, but for neighbors who counted on it as a quick stop off Route 156 and I-95.

Nearby Walgreens Alternatives in Essex and Westbrook

Walgreens will direct customers wanting to stick with the chain to stores in Essex and Westbrook. These locations are set to take on the prescription load and extra shoppers from Old Lyme once Halls Road closes.

The company hasn’t announced any changes at those stores. People in East Lyme and Old Saybrook might have to drive a bit farther for their regular refills and pharmacy chats.

What Old Lyme Customers Need to Know Before the Closure

Walgreens says prescription services in Old Lyme will keep running as usual until the shutdown date. The pharmacy will fill meds at 90 Halls Road through January 27, so regulars have some time to figure out their next steps.

Company officials say they want to make the transition smooth, especially for patients who’ve depended on the Old Lyme team for years.

Automatic Prescription Transfers and 90-Day Free Delivery

After the Old Lyme store closes, all active prescriptions will automatically move to a nearby Walgreens—most likely Essex or Westbrook. This should help folks avoid any gap in getting their meds.

Plus, anyone affected can get free prescription delivery for 90 days. That’s a big help for older adults, people with mobility issues, or families who might not want to travel farther for their prescriptions.

Prescriptions filled at Old Lyme will stay valid and on file until Jan. 27.
After that, records move to a nearby Walgreens automatically.
If customers want, they can call Walgreens customer service to pick a different location.
Eligible patients can sign up for the 90-day free prescription delivery program to skip extra trips.

Part of a Larger Wave of Walgreens Closures Across Connecticut

The Old Lyme shutdown isn’t the only one. Walgreens keeps trimming its presence statewide, hitting towns like Bridgeport, Stamford, New Britain, and Waterbury.

More than a dozen Connecticut stores have closed in 2025, with more shutting down as spring rolled around. Cities like New Haven and Hartford have already lost long-standing Walgreens locations, which has people talking about pharmacy deserts and trouble getting in-person health care, especially in lower-income spots.

Closures Accelerated After Sycamore Partners Acquisition

The pace of closures sped up after private equity firm Sycamore Partners bought Walgreens in March 2025. Ever since, industry watchers have braced for restructuring—store shutdowns, cost cuts, consolidations, the works.

Walgreens hasn’t shared exactly how it picks which stores to close. Still, analysts mention overlapping stores, pricey real estate, and changing shopping habits as reasons behind the cuts. The Old Lyme store looks like just another casualty of that approach, and locals are left wondering what this means for health care access in their town.

What This Means for Connecticut Communities

As more national chains rethink their brick-and-mortar stores, Connecticut communities have to adjust. Towns like Old Lyme and Essex on the shoreline, along with bigger spots such as New Haven and Bridgeport, are looking into other options.

Some folks are turning to independent pharmacies, while others check out expanded services at local grocery stores and clinics. It’s a scramble, honestly, and everyone seems to be figuring it out as they go.

Right now, Old Lyme customers should look over their prescriptions and talk with their pharmacists. If getting to the store is tough, that 90-day free delivery option might help—at least for a little while.

Here is the source article for this story: Walgreens to continue Connecticut store closings in 2026

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