CVS Damaged In Baltimore Riots Rises From The Ashes
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A significant part of the Penn North community has reopened after burning down nearly a year ago during April's unrest. The CVS is now open for business following a major renovation.
Tracey Leong has more on what this means for the city.
It was closed for 10 months, causing a hardship for those who relied on the store for food and medicine. Now it's back and even better than before.
The CVS was ripped apart and torched to the ground during Baltimore's April riots following the death of Freddie Gray. Now, 10 months later, it stands back up, even stronger than before.
"Glad to have it back," said CVS customer Rhonda Perry. "Didn't think it was coming back."
"The fact that CVS came back says they believe in the city," said Congressman Elijah Cummings.
In one of the hardest hit area, a nation watched the store crumble under the chaos. It suffered more than a million dollars in damages. Reopening demonstrates the store's commitment to healing our city.
"Within a week of it happening, we knew we were going to come back so it felt good to have the full support that we would be back," said CVS District Manager Terra Breeding.
An invaluable investment in this neighborhood and crucial to its success.
"Walk right into the drug store and talk to a pharmacist at any moment, much faster than getting a doctor on the phone," Cummings said.
"I'm glad it's back. I can go get my medicine for my throat," Perry said.
"A lot of senior citizens here need their medicine and it really put them in peril when they couldn't come here," said customer William Emerson.
Once at the heart of April's unrest, it now stands as a symbol of hope.
This CVS is the second one to open that was damaged during April's riots. The other one on West Franklin Street reopened last week. There are a total of 29 CVS pharmacies that serve the Baltimore area.