Duane Reade

Fantastic location, sits atop the platform of the 34^th Penn Station A/​C/​E train uptown station with M34(A)-SBS stop literally 30 ft from the northern store side. Its many doors mean never a backup & its interior space is significant with clearly navigable sections.
Its variety is nearly the maximum Duane Read with the 1^st floor having takeaway foods (stocked appropriately for each time of day), frozen, cold drinks, delivered & bagged baked goods, magazines, health. Lower floor is mostly beautycare & personal care. The best parts relative to the many many other DR locations are the staff here are particularly helpful, knowledgible, and positive. I used Android Pay 12/​22/​2015 @ 08:54, peak rush hour, and the cashier was not only enthusiastic to let me spend the time to try it out but even helpful in showing me where prior. There was a staff member helpfully moving to direct folks to the line and to pre-​emptively help lost folk. Cleansiness is high, but didn’t check for a restroom. I’ve been here irregularly over 10 years & it’s been consistently fast & convenient.

First of all I wouldn’t give this drugstore one $. Everything is completely overpriced because obviously they have to pay their rent.
I go to this location for the pharmacy. They are always very helpful and the women down there are very knowledgeable and helpful. I usually don’t even have to come back, my prescription can get filled right there.
Budget a little bit of time when you go here especially during the weekdays because the lines can get pretty long and with all those questions that the Duane Reade credit card terminals ask, it’s not going to go quickly.
The first floor is mostly grab and go stuff and there is a small beauty section. I guess it before it’s very expensive Like any Duane Reade so if you really need that contact solution and you’re at work prepare to pay the price. don’t miss the pharmacy downstairs along with some more stationery supplies and things that they don’t want to keep on the first floor.

Sucks management and workers have attitudes. The frozen section. Soda machines and coffees nothing works no one knows why. No signs to let you know. So you just walk around wasting your time. Worst ever.

First floor is most ready to grab and go food. Including a frozen yogurt station with surprisingly many choices of yogurt and toppings. I also appreciate the cold room for the drinks, located at the back on the entrance floor. Regular stuff is downstairs.

Conveniently located but for that reason it always has a line. As a bonus it stays open pretty late.

This duane reade is the poshest one I’ve ever been in. It’s almost like a Boots in London.
Its great cause it’s right near penn station and the bolt/​meag buses. So if you drinks/​snacks for your trips it’s cheaper than the places in penn station.
I actually found the prices to be comparable to philly… there isn’t a nyc mark-​up just higher tax and the charge you a bottle fee now?

Ok, so I must confess. I’m smart. I’m frugal.
I don’t wanna cough up 3 bucks to Bank of America for an ATM fee, or chase or whoever, so I always hit up a drug store, buy a pack of gum, condoms, whatever, and use debit and ask for cash back.
I went ahead and get in line, with my pack of gum, condoms, mints or whatever and ask for debit. I asked if they do cash back, and he said they didn’t as soon as I push the last number on the PIN pad.
Boo. So now I’m stuck with a pocket full of gum, condoms, mints or whatever and I still have to go to the ATM.
Anyway, the service here was alright, the store seemed pretty well stocked, but if it sucks, you can always go to the one or many others around and find what you are looking for.