If you’ve ever lived in South Philly, you know the corner of 10th and Reed. It's not exactly a scenic landmark. It’s a retail hub, a convenience point, and for many people living in the Passyunk Square or East Passyunk Crossing areas, it's the place you end up at 9:00 PM when you realize you’re out of milk or need a prescription filled. The CVS 10th and Reed Philadelphia PA location sits right in the thick of a changing neighborhood, acting as a strange bridge between the old-school Italian Market vibes and the newer, polished energy of the surrounding blocks.
South Philly is a grid of tight streets and even tighter parking. Finding a spot near this CVS is a minor miracle. Most people just walk. They walk from the rowhomes on Wharton, they trek over from the Acme on 10th and Reed—which is right across the street—and they deal with the specific, frantic energy that only a busy urban pharmacy can provide.
What’s Actually Happening at 10th and Reed?
The intersection itself is a microcosm of Philadelphia. On one side, you have the Columbus Square Park, which recently underwent a massive multi-million dollar renovation. On the other, you have a massive surface parking lot that serves the CVS and the ACME Markets. In a city where land is at a premium, this sea of asphalt feels like an anomaly.
People come to this CVS for the basics, but it’s the pharmacy that really drives the foot traffic. It’s a high-volume location. Because it’s so close to major thoroughfares like Broad Street and Washington Avenue, it serves a massive radius of residents. Honestly, it’s often crowded. You’ve probably stood in that line before, staring at the seasonal decor while waiting for a pharmacist to call your name. It’s part of the ritual of living in this zip code.
The Logistics of the Store
Let's talk about the store itself. It’s a standard CVS layout, but it feels more compact than the suburban versions. They have to pack a lot into a limited footprint. You’ve got the Photo Lab, which, surprisingly, stays busy despite everyone having a high-def camera in their pocket. People still need those passport photos or last-minute holiday cards.
The hours at the CVS 10th and Reed Philadelphia PA have shifted over the years, mirroring a national trend where 24-hour locations are becoming rarer than a clean SEPTA bus. Currently, this location generally operates with extended hours but isn't always around the clock. You have to check the app. If you show up at 3:00 AM expecting a bottle of Gatorade and the lights are off, that’s on you for not checking the latest updates.
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Why This Specific Location is a Neighborhood Anchor
It’s about more than just buying snacks. In South Philly, "the CVS" is a landmark used for giving directions. "Turn left at the CVS," people say. It’s a reference point for the 19147 and 19148 zip codes.
The proximity to the ACME is key. It creates a one-stop-shop environment that is rare in a city of corner bodegas and small specialty shops. You hit the ACME for the heavy groceries, then hop across the lot to the CVS for the "drugstore stuff" that the grocery store either doesn't carry or marks up too high. It’s a specific dance of errands that locals have mastered.
The Parking Situation (A South Philly Nightmare)
We have to talk about the parking lot. It’s a blessing and a curse. In a neighborhood where you usually have to circle the block for twenty minutes to find a spot three blocks away from your house, having a dedicated lot is like finding gold.
But it’s a chaotic lot. People cut through it to avoid the light at 10th and Reed. Delivery drivers double-park. Pedestrians weave between SUVs. It’s a high-stakes environment for your car's bumper. If you're driving there, be careful. Most locals prefer to just hoof it if they live within six blocks. It’s faster.
Health Services and Community Impact
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent booster rollouts, this location was a primary hub for vaccinations in South Philadelphia. It highlighted a critical reality: for many elderly residents in the Italian Market area, this is their primary healthcare touchpoint. They might not be able to get to the big hospitals like Penn or Jefferson easily, but they can get to 10th and Reed.
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The pharmacists here deal with a lot. It’s a diverse clientele—young professionals who just moved into new construction, families who have been in the neighborhood for four generations, and a large immigrant population. Navigating insurance hurdles and language barriers is just a Tuesday for the staff here.
Competition and the Retail Landscape
Is it the only option? No. There’s a Rite Aid not too far away, and plenty of independent pharmacies like those on 9th Street or closer to Passyunk Avenue. But CVS has the power of the app and the MinuteClinic (though services vary by location).
Retailers in Philadelphia are currently facing challenges with "shrink"—the industry term for shoplifting. You’ll notice more items behind plexiglass lately. Detergent, high-end skincare, even some candy. It’s annoying. It makes a quick trip take longer because you have to ring a bell for an associate to unlock the Tide Pods. But this isn't unique to 10th and Reed; it’s the reality of urban retail in 2026.
Safety and the Neighborhood Vibe
If you read neighborhood groups like those on Facebook or Nextdoor, you’ll see plenty of chatter about the 10th and Reed area. Some people complain about the "loitering" or the general grit of the parking lot. It’s South Philly. It’s not a sterile suburban mall.
The area is generally safe during the day, bustling with shoppers and people heading to Columbus Square. At night, it’s just like any other city corner. Stay aware of your surroundings. The lighting in the parking lot has been a point of contention for years, with residents frequently asking for better visibility to deter petty crime.
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
If you're going to use the CVS 10th and Reed Philadelphia PA location, you need to be smart about it. Don't go during the post-work rush (5:00 PM to 6:30 PM) if you can avoid it. The pharmacy line will be back to the greeting cards.
- Use the App: Seriously. Order your prescriptions for pickup and use the "Express" line if it's available. It saves you from standing around breathing in the air of a dozen other people waiting for their meds.
- Check the ACME First: Sometimes the grocery store across the lot has better deals on household goods. Compare prices if you're on a budget.
- Walk if You Can: I can't stress this enough. The 10th and Reed intersection is a bottleneck. If you live within a 10-minute walk, leave the car at home.
- Be Nice to the Staff: They are working in one of the busiest stores in the city. A little patience goes a long way when the system is lagging or the line is out the door.
The Future of the Corner
There has been constant rumors about the redevelopment of the entire 10th and Reed shopping center. Developers look at that parking lot and see dollar signs—specifically, high-density residential units with ground-floor retail. If that ever happens, the CVS would likely be integrated into a new building.
For now, though, it remains a low-slung, beige brick staple of the community. It’s not flashy. It’s not "cool" like the boutiques on Passyunk. But try living without it for a week when you have a head cold or need an emergency birthday card. You’ll realize pretty quickly why this specific CVS is the heartbeat of the local errands run.
Actionable Insights for Residents
If you've recently moved to South Philly or are just passing through, keep these things in mind about the 10th and Reed hub. First, the CVS photo department is actually pretty reliable for local pickup of online orders. Second, if you need a flu shot or a booster, schedule it online via the CVS website rather than walking in; they prioritize appointments and you'll save yourself an hour of waiting. Lastly, keep an eye on the "ExtraCare" coupons at the red kiosks or on the app. Because this is a high-volume store, they often have stock of clearance items that smaller stores sell out of quickly.
Ultimately, the CVS at 10th and Reed isn't going anywhere soon. It serves too many people and occupies too strategic a location. It’s a gritty, busy, essential part of life in South Philadelphia. Whether you love the convenience or hate the parking lot, you're probably going to end up there sooner or later. Just remember to bring your own bag—Philadelphia's plastic bag ban is strictly enforced here, and those paper bags they sell you for ten cents aren't exactly heavy-duty.
Next Steps for Locals:
- Download the CVS app and set "10th and Reed" as your primary store to get real-time stock alerts for that location.
- Schedule pharmacy pickups for weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday) to avoid the weekend and Monday morning rushes which are notoriously slow.
- Check the Columbus Square Park event calendar before heading over; if there's a big neighborhood event, parking in that CVS/ACME lot will be even more of a disaster than usual.