Duane Reade

One bad employee can ruin it for all.
I’m transgender and this guy always makes it a point to say, «thanks man» or tonight «good looking chief.»
I think of all of the social issues that people face from transgender rights to the injustice of police brutality against minorities… And to feel like as a whole… Our country gets through things… But then simple minded and casually snark remarks like tonight and every other night I see this guy, I hate to question how complicated minds work on such basic principles of kindness or even a given thought of others.
Rather than the convenience of this store being a block away, I’ll catch the many others on the way back from 86^th street… The night manager is no different. August 2015

Pharmacy is very incompetent with filling, completing and refilling automated prescriptions. Every time I went I had issues. The pharmacists were incapable of helping me and also provided false information about some drugs. Overall: I would give this zero stars.

Just called to to see if this Duane Reade had a medication in stock. The pharmacist starts off asking me to hold but actually hanging up on me. I call back and she tells me that the medication isn’t in stock and will take 10 – 14 business days to order… I point out that it has never taken 10 — 14 days to order this medication and ask to talk to a supervisor — she tells me that she is the supervisor. I call the Duane Reade a few blocks away and they tell me that while its not in stock, It will take them 2 – 5 business days to order it… The sunday pharmacist at this particular Duane Reade is clearly incompetent. Be careful trusting them to fill your prescriptions on time.

I really, really despise DR! They are TAKING OVER the city! I feel like I can’t walk 2 blocks without seeing one — enough already! Plus they pretty much rape your wallet every time you go in. I soooo much prefer CVS or Rite Aid… they are way cheaper. Duane Reade is way, way too overpriced — even for NYC.

This duane reade is great– it’s huge with lots of selection. There are two chase ATMs, which is great if the other one is being used.
The service here, which is probably the reason why it lost one star is that it just gets a bit slow because a lot of people frequent here since it is close to the 96^th street station. I really do enjoy this duane reade though (not as much as the one by Wall Street), but certainly it is organized, clean, and welcoming.

The pharmacy is almost always on point, but I think there’s a new person working there because I just called and had the following conversation:
Me: Just checking if you have any [redacted] in stock yet.
Pharmacist: No, not yet.
M: Do you know when you’ll get some in?
P: No, because it’s being discontinued.
M: It’s being discontinued!!!
P: Oh sorry, I meant it’s being recalled.
M: IT’S BEING RECALLED!!!
P: Oh no, I meant it’s on back order.
Seriously? I might need a new pharmacy.

They have lots of rows of everything you need from every kind of cosmetics or over the counter drug item you need which was really a great help on my travels.

Normally I would not write a review for a company or business like this but I had an experience today that stood out to me and wanted to give credit to the manager of the store.
I bought a pair of reading glasses there a few weeks ago and last night at work they literally fell apart. This morning I went to the Duane Reade on 116^th and 3^rd Avenue to exchange them for a new pair. Only one problem, I did not have a receipt. I spoke to the manager there and he was very helpful and frankly I did not have an extra twenty bucks to spend on a new pair of glasses.
He exchanged them without question and without any fuss I was on my way. Kudo’s to this gentleman. He left me with a great experience that could have been a train wreck. Ie: no receipt. Instead of giving me a hard time he provided a solution. I really appreciate that and it left me with a great impression of this company. Thanks a lot!

Nice people. Very friendly. Thank you guys .)

Always an easy shopping experience.

This is one of my favorite Duane Reades (If I was asked to choose). It is very big and airy. They also have ramps that make it very accessible for people with baby carriages.
It is conveniently located half way between my apartment and Bloomingdale’s which by now, you know is my second home. Usually by the time I get there, I need a bottle of water, snack for the girls or a blister blocker for my feet. This Duane Reade has all the above (though they recently stopped carrying Zico Coconut water — grrr their Dark Chocolate Coconut water is da’ BOMB!!).
This is one of the newly renovated Duane Reades that have the higher end cosmetics lines. They carry Becca which was a brand I would always sample in Sephora but rarely purchase. The sales staff on the cosmetic side are helpful and sometimes borderline pushy. Being someone who regularly navigates Bloomies Cosmetics Department, they are no match for me.

This place looks like a museum. It’s an ode to toiletries, a monument to cosmetics. Top-​and-​back-​lit shelves showcase the wares — Pantene never looked so high end.
That being said, even though there were 5 registers, only one cashier was working (who seemed to either be in training, or having trouble ringing people up, or both), and even though there were other staff behind the counter, they let a line form before they finally opened up another register. Maybe the store is so new the staff is still in training? On the other hand, when I was asked if I had a Duane Reade rewards card and I said no, this was the FIRST TIME EVER that the cashier answered with «would you like to open one?» Well, yes I would.
Note: I give this place 4 stars as a business because it was mostly a pleasure to shop in. However, I feel the need to mention that the LAST thing this neighborhood needs is another drugstore. There’s a 24-​hour CVS 2 blocks north on the same side of the street, and there’s another Duane Reade 1 block west of that CVS.

I don’t review chains, as a rule, but I was so amazed by this new location that I am throwing that particular rule out the window.
It’s big, really big. And new. No steps (a plague at many older DRs) + wide aisles = very accessible. Huge windows. So far, so good.
The front of the store is given over to cosmetics, some of them high-​end but most midrange, with good lighting and even a small area for makeovers. (Who knows if that will ever be used, but still.) Behind that are the usual health and beauty aisles. The first aid section seemed a bit bare-​bones but perfectly functional. Pharmacy behind that.
Then things start to get surreal. Folks, there’s a grocery store back here. Not just packaged foods! Fruit, vegetables, a whole dairy section with Greek yogurt and soy milk. A freestanding freezer case. Cold beer – good stuff and lots of it. I’m sure there are no bargains, but you could do reasonable grocery shopping here.
Then the cashiers. There were four or five cheerful-​looking people at the registers – even though almost no one was in line! And a manager! And an endcap display of bananas nearby!
Steady, girl. Breathe.
Maybe I’m suffering from low expectations, but this place is head and shoulders above anyplace similar in the neighborhood.

A great Duane Reade. I was pleasantly surprised to see they had fresh produce, cold beer and a great selection of food in the freezer section. I suspect I’ll be making a late night run to this DR in the near future.

Brand spanking new Duane Reade that is opening up in the neighborhood. Located where the old Pier One store was located. This one will be open 24 hours a day. Good to know since the only all night drug store is CVS a few blocks away and they are only so-​so.