It’s just a drug store. That’s what someone from out of town might say if they saw the brick building sitting on the corner of 87th Street and Kedzie Avenue. But if you live in Evergreen Park or the surrounding Chicago neighborhoods like Ashburn or Wrightwood, you know it's a bit more than that.
The Walgreens on 87th and Kedzie isn't just a place to grab a bag of chips or a gallon of milk. For years, it has functioned as a weirdly vital anchor for the local economy and a literal lifeline for seniors who can't easily trek across the city for their prescriptions. It’s busy. Like, "don't go there at 5:00 PM on a Friday unless you have patience" busy.
Why the Location at 87th and Kedzie Matters So Much
Look at a map. This specific intersection sits right on the border between the City of Chicago and the village of Evergreen Park. It’s a transition zone. You have the heavy traffic from 87th Street—a major East-West artery—colliding with the North-South flow of Kedzie.
People are always moving here.
Because it sits on this boundary, the Walgreens at 3201 W 87th St serves a massive, diverse demographic. You’ve got suburban families from Evergreen Park, commuters heading toward the Dan Ryan, and city residents who prefer this location because it often feels safer or more stocked than others further east. It’s a hub. Honestly, if you’ve lived in the area long enough, you’ve probably used this specific parking lot as a landmark when giving directions. "Turn left at the Walgreens," you'll tell a friend, and they know exactly which one you mean because that corner is unmistakable.
The Pharmacy Factor: More Than Just Pills
The pharmacy is the heart of the operation. Most people visiting the Walgreens on 87th and Kedzie are there for the back counter. In a landscape where "pharmacy deserts" are becoming a terrifying reality in many parts of Chicago’s South Side, having a reliable, 24-hour (or at least extended-hour) pharmacy is a luxury that shouldn't be a luxury.
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Local healthcare providers, like those at Advocate Christ Medical Center just a short drive away, often send discharge prescriptions here. It creates a high-pressure environment for the staff. You can see it in their eyes on a Tuesday afternoon when the line is six people deep and the phone won't stop ringing.
The pharmacists here handle more than just counting tablets. They are often the first line of medical advice for people who can't afford a co-pay at an immediate care clinic. "Is this rash normal?" "Can I take this with my blood pressure meds?" These conversations happen every ten minutes. It’s a heavy lift.
Dealing With the Modern Retail Reality
We have to be real about the "Walgreens experience" lately. It hasn't been all sunshine and roses. Like many high-traffic retail spots in the Chicagoland area, this location has faced challenges with staffing shortages and retail theft.
You’ve probably noticed the plexiglass.
Seeing laundry detergent and deodorant locked behind plastic shields is frustrating. It’s annoying to wait for an associate to come over with a key just so you can buy toothpaste. But this is the trade-off many stores are making to stay open in high-density areas. While some Walgreens locations across Chicago have shuttered completely—leaving neighborhoods stranded—the 87th and Kedzie spot has remained a stayer. It’s resilient.
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Logistics: Parking and Accessibility
If you’re driving, the parking lot is... an experience. It’s tight. The entrance off 87th Street can be a nightmare during rush hour because you're fighting oncoming traffic and people trying to turn into the nearby strip malls.
Pro tip: Enter from Kedzie if you can. It’s usually a bit smoother.
Accessibility is a big deal here because of the aging population in Evergreen Park. The store is flat, the aisles are (mostly) wide enough for wheelchairs, and the proximity to the PACE bus stops makes it reachable for those who don't drive. It’s a functional piece of urban design, even if it wasn't intended to be a "community center."
The "Walgreens Closure" Fear
Whenever a corporate headline hits about Walgreens closing 1,200 stores nationwide, the neighborhood gets nervous. We’ve seen it happen in nearby areas where a store closes and suddenly, elderly residents have to take two buses just to get their insulin.
So far, the Walgreens on 87th and Kedzie seems to be on solid ground purely because of its volume. It’s a high-performing store. When a business is consistently packed, it’s usually safe, but in the current corporate climate, nothing is guaranteed. Losing this location would be a catastrophic blow to the local "15-minute city" lifestyle that many people in Evergreen Park enjoy.
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What You Should Know Before You Go
If you’re heading to this location, there are a few "local secrets" to making the trip less of a headache:
The pharmacy line is almost always shorter between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM. Avoid the "after-work rush" between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM at all costs. If you need a vaccine, for the love of everything, make an appointment online. Don't just walk in and expect a five-minute turnaround. The staff is overworked, and appointments always get priority.
Also, check the app. Walgreens has a weirdly good rewards system, and since prices at this location can be a bit higher than a discount grocer, those "Buy 1 Get 1" deals on household essentials actually add up.
A Critical Anchor for Evergreen Park
When we talk about "business," we often talk about profit margins and stock prices. But on the ground, business is about utility. The Walgreens on the corner of 87th and Kedzie is a utility. It’s where you get the emergency Pedialyte when your kid is sick at 2:00 AM. It’s where you get your flu shot because you can’t get an appointment with your primary doctor for three weeks.
It represents the intersection of suburban convenience and urban necessity.
Practical Next Steps for Local Shoppers
- Download the Walgreens App: Use the "Clip to Card" coupons before you walk in. The prices at this specific location reflect its high-demand status, so every dollar helps.
- Switch to 90-Day Prescriptions: If you use the pharmacy here, ask your doctor to write 90-day scripts. It reduces the number of times you have to fight for a parking spot at 87th and Kedzie.
- Utilize the Drive-Thru Wisely: The drive-thru is great, but it’s often slower than going inside if there are more than three cars. If you’re mobile, park on the Kedzie side and walk in.
- Check Store Hours Regularly: Corporate has been adjusting hours based on staffing levels. Even if Google says they are open, a quick call to (708) 422-2321 can save you a wasted trip.
This store is a survivor in a tough retail environment. While it might just look like another pharmacy, for the people on 87th Street, it's a vital part of the daily grind. Keep supporting it, or risk losing one of the few reliable anchors left on the border.