The Joplin Dillons Pharmacy is closing as of today. In an abrupt move (similar to the stores closing in Springfield), Dillons announced today February 12th, 2015, that they would be closing the Joplin Dillons pharmacy located at 1001 S Range Line Road. They also made an official statement reflecting the fact that they have no plans to bring back the grocery store.

From their Press Release:

“Decisions like these are not taken lightly and are never easy to make,” said Joe Grieshaber, Dillon Stores president. “With no Dillons grocery store to support our pharmacy, our pharmacy business has declined. After carefully considering all options to remain in Joplin, we have come to the regrettable decision to exit the market.”

Dillons officials said several factors contributed to their decision to forgo rebuilding in the community and to close the pharmacy in Joplin. Access routes to the former Dillons location have been eliminated as part of a planned railroad bridge. This makes the property inaccessible and rebuilding on the existing site impossible. Dillons has also concluded a thorough but unsuccessful search for a suitable new location in Joplin.

The Dillons Pharmacy will operate under regular business hours today (Thursday, Feb. 12) with a closing time of 8 p.m. Beginning Friday, Feb. 13, Dillons Pharmacy customers will be able to find their transferred prescriptions at the nearby Walgreens, located at 2001 S Range Line Road in Joplin.”

There were repeated assurances from Dillons corporate after the tornado in Joplin for quite a long awhile that Dillons would definitely return as a grocery store. Eventually, the statements changed to “no plans to return”. Now at least, they have finally officially stated that they are not coming back. I find it extremely disappointing that they chose to close the pharmacy in such an abrupt manner, but then again, this kind of action for Dillons seems to be par for the course. I am very saddened at the fact that they could not find a “suitable location” here in Joplin. From the perspective of a long time Joplin resident there seemed to have been plenty of locations and opportunities over the last few years. I have to wonder what other factors were at play.