Ever since a "new look" Duane Reade opened up at West 72nd Street and Broadway, residents and local officials have complained about its extremely bright second floor LED screen. One woman said it was "almost like a strobe light... It went from a very serene environment to like being in a club. When I’m in bed, I can still see the flashes," and the Department of Buildings confirmed it was illegal. Now the drug store chain has decided to stop blinding residents and agreed to remove it.
According to DNAinfo, "The pharmacy agreed to remove the flashing billboard...on Friday night, just in time to avoid a sidewalk protest residents organized for Sunday." City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, State Senator Thomas Duane and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer "met with executives from Walgreens, Duane Reade's parent company, on Friday night. By Sunday evening, the once-bright sign had been turned off, leaving a blank black square looking down on the busy intersection."
Duane Reade said, "At Duane Reade, part of the Walgreens family of companies, we strive to be good neighbors in all the communities we serve." But don't think you'll be able to buy this giant screen on eBay—it may be headed to a Duane Reade (or Walgreens) location in...Times Square.
