If you’ve lived in Lincoln long enough, you know the corner of 70th and O Streets isn’t just a busy intersection. It’s a landmark. Right there, tucked into the Clock Tower Shopping Center area, sits the CVS 70th and O location. It’s the kind of place where you stop for a last-minute birthday card, a flu shot, or a gallon of milk because you’re already stuck in that brutal 5:00 PM traffic anyway.
But honestly? Things are changing.
The retail landscape in Nebraska is shifting fast. You’ve probably noticed the headlines about CVS Health closing hundreds of stores across the country. It’s part of a massive three-year plan they started a while back to "re-evaluate" store density. When people hear "CVS 70th and O," they aren't just looking for store hours anymore. They’re wondering if their pharmacy is going to be the next one to vanish or if the shift toward digital prescriptions is going to turn their local drug store into a ghost town.
The Reality of CVS 70th and O in the Current Market
Let’s get real about why this specific spot matters. The 70th and O corridor is a beast. You have a mix of long-time residents, students from nearby campuses, and a constant flow of commuters.
CVS at 70th and O has survived because of its footprint. It isn't just about the shelves. It’s about the MinuteClinic services and the fact that it sits in a high-traffic retail hub.
However, we have to talk about the "retail apocalypse" buzzword. People love to say brick-and-mortar is dying. It’s not. It’s just getting weirder. At 70th and O, you see the tension between the old way of shopping—walking in to grab a soda and a prescription—and the new way, which involves app-based ordering and curbside pickup. CVS has been leaning hard into the "HealthHub" model. They want you to think of them as a mini-doctor's office, not just a place that sells overpriced snacks.
Why location density is the real story
CVS Health (the parent company) announced they’d be shuttering about 900 stores over a three-year window. That sounds terrifying. But if you look at the data from analysts like those at GlobalData Retail, the closures aren't random. They are surgical. They look at things like:
- How close is the next CVS?
- Is the lease about to expire?
- Is the "shrink" (that’s corporate-speak for shoplifting and lost inventory) too high?
For the CVS 70th and O crowd, the store serves as a primary anchor for the east-central part of the city. While other locations in smaller markets might be on the chopping block, high-visibility corners in growing cities like Lincoln usually have more staying power. But that doesn't mean the experience inside stays the same.
What’s different inside the store lately?
You’ve walked in lately, right? It feels different. There’s more tech. There are fewer staff members on the floor.
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The pharmacy at 70th and O is the heart of the operation. If you’re trying to transfer a prescription, you’ve probably dealt with the automated phone system that feels like it was designed to test your patience. That’s because CVS is trying to push everyone toward their Caremark digital platform. They want to automate the mundane stuff so the pharmacists can focus on higher-margin tasks like vaccinations and consultations.
It’s a business move. Pure and simple.
Some regulars hate it. They miss the days when you could just chat with the pharmacist about a cough. Now, it feels more like a high-speed production line. But from a business perspective, it’s the only way CVS 70th and O stays viable in an era where Amazon Pharmacy is breathing down their neck.
The MinuteClinic Factor at 70th and O
One of the biggest reasons people still flock to the 70th and O location is the MinuteClinic. Honestly, it’s a lifesaver when you can’t get into your primary care doctor for three weeks just to check a sinus infection.
The practitioners there—usually Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants—handle the "bread and butter" of basic medicine.
- Strep tests.
- Physicals for school sports.
- Routine vaccinations.
- Basic screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol.
This is what keeps the 70th and O location relevant. You can't get a physical through an app (yet). You need a human. By positioning themselves as a healthcare provider first and a retail store second, CVS is trying to make themselves "un-clozable."
A quick note on pharmacy wait times
Let's address the elephant in the room. The wait times at the 70th and O pharmacy can be... intense.
It’s a nationwide issue, not just a Lincoln issue. Pharmacy technicians are in high demand and short supply. According to reports from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), burnout is at an all-time high. When you see a line wrapping around the aisle at 70th and O, it’s usually not because the staff is slow. It’s because they’re doing the work of three people while processing hundreds of digital orders coming in from the app.
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It’s a bottleneck. It’s frustrating. But it’s the reality of modern retail pharmacy.
The Local Impact of Big Pharmacy Chains
Lincoln has a lot of options. You’ve got Walgreens just down the road, and you’ve got Hy-Vee pharmacies that people swear by. So why does CVS 70th and O stay in the conversation?
Part of it is the CVS ExtraCare program. It’s arguably the most aggressive loyalty program in the game. Those mile-long receipts? They’re a meme for a reason. But for the savvy shopper at 70th and O, those coupons actually make a dent in the bill.
The competition at this intersection is fierce. You have Target right there (which actually houses its own CVS pharmacy inside, funnily enough). This creates a weird dynamic. Why go to the standalone CVS 70th and O when you could just go to the one inside Target?
The answer is usually convenience. Drive-thru access. 24-hour options (though many locations have scaled back hours). And the fact that the standalone store has a much wider selection of over-the-counter meds and household goods than the "mini" versions inside other retailers.
Misconceptions about store closures
There was a rumor floating around—as there always is on local Facebook groups—that the 70th and O location was closing last year.
It didn't happen.
People often confuse a "remodeling" or a "reduction in hours" with a total shutdown. CVS is indeed closing underperforming stores, but they are also doubling down on "hub" locations. A store at a major intersection like 70th and O is much more likely to be upgraded than boarded up. The goal is to turn these locations into "destination" healthcare spots.
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If you see shelves looking a bit bare, it’s usually a supply chain hiccup or a shift in how they stock certain categories (like moving high-theft items behind glass). It’s not necessarily a sign of the end times.
Handling your business at CVS 70th and O
If you’re a regular at this location, or if you’ve just moved to the area, there are ways to make the experience less of a headache.
First, stop calling the pharmacy. Seriously. The phone system at 70th and O is a black hole. Use the CVS app. You can see exactly when your prescription is ready, how much it costs, and you can even pay for it before you arrive. This saves you from that awkward moment at the counter where you find out your insurance didn't cover the generic version.
Second, timing is everything. Avoid the 5:00 PM rush. The 70th and O intersection is a nightmare during the commute. If you can get there at 9:00 AM on a Tuesday, you’ll have the place to yourself.
Third, check the MinuteClinic availability online before you go. You can "hold your place in line" digitally. Walking in blindly on a Saturday morning is a recipe for a two-hour wait.
The Future of the Corner
What happens next for CVS 70th and O?
Expect more automation. We’re probably going to see more self-checkout kiosks and fewer traditional registers. We’ll likely see an expansion of the "HealthHub" services—maybe more diagnostic equipment or specialized care for chronic conditions like diabetes.
The 70th and O corridor is evolving. With new developments and shifting demographics in Lincoln, the store has to adapt or die. For now, it remains a cornerstone of the neighborhood, even if the "cornerstone" now comes with an app and a drive-thru.
Actionable Steps for Lincoln Residents
If you use the CVS at 70th and O, here is how you should handle your next visit to save time and money:
- Download the CVS App: Link your ExtraCare card immediately. This is how you get the "real" prices.
- Use the Drive-Thru Strategically: If you have a complex insurance question, do not use the drive-thru. Go inside. The drive-thru is for "pick up and go" only. Don't be that person holding up five cars while you argue about a co-pay.
- Check MinuteClinic Wait Times: Do this on the website before you leave your house. It’s updated in real-time.
- Opt-in for Text Alerts: The pharmacy at 70th and O is much better at texting you than they are at answering the phone.
- Check the 70th and O Traffic Cameras: If you’re heading there during peak hours, check the local traffic report. That intersection can add 15 minutes to a 5-minute trip.
The reality of 70th and O is that it’s a reflection of the national retail shift. It’s not the cozy corner drugstore of the 1990s anymore. It’s a high-volume healthcare node. Treat it like one, and you’ll have a much better experience.