Walgreens is closing three stores in Orange County and another two in Los Angeles County by March.

At least 93 people could lose their jobs in the closures, according to a notification sent to California’s Employment Development Department.

Marty Maloney, Walgreens’ director of media relations, said via email on Friday that “increased regulatory and reimbursement pressures” were weighing on costs associated with rent, staffing, and supply needs.

“It is never an easy decision to close a store,” he wrote. “We know that our stores are important to the communities that we serve, and therefore do everything possible to improve the store performance. When closures are necessary, like those here in California, we will work in partnership with community stakeholders to minimize customer disruptions.”

Maloney said the company intends to redeploy the majority of its affected associates to other stores.

The stores closing include:

Orange: Closing March 25 with 8 potential layoffs at 3237 E. Chapman Ave.
Placentia: Closing March 24 with 19 potential layoffs at 1201 E. Yorba Linda Blvd.
Stanton: Closing March 26 with 13 potential layoffs at 11900 Beach Blvd.
Whittier: Closing March 20 with 26 potential layoffs at 11604 Whittier Blvd.
Los Angeles: Closing March 27 with 27 potential layoffs 617 W. 7th St.

Walgreens noted in its notice to the state that the closures are permanent. A list of affected jobs includes pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, cashiers, customer service associates, store managers and inventory specialists.

Drugstore operators have struggled since the pandemic, with hundreds of stores closing nationwide as consumer habits shift. Opioid settlements also have laden chains with debt. Last spring Rite Aid marked 31 stores in California for closure in a bankruptcy restructuring plan. At the time, the pharmacy chain was facing slumping sales and several opioid-related lawsuits.

Blizzard campaign raises $2M for CureDuchenne

A fundraising campaign launched by CureDuchenne and Blizzard Entertainment in Irvine raised $2 million for the nonprofit, which supports families and research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The campaign was inspired by the late Mats Steen, a World of Warcraft player who went by the avatar Ibelin. The online role-playing video game was created and released by Blizzard in 2004.

Steen suffered from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and died at age 25. Netflix made a documentary about his life called “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin.”

WoW players adopted (bought) a limited edition pet named Reven (the Norwegian word for fox). Reven followed players during their gaming adventures, with proceeds going to CureDuchene.

The nonprofit said the fundraiser was “the most significant contribution that CureDuchenne has received from a corporation to date.”

“The World of Warcraft community has shown that gaming can be a powerful force for good, and we are deeply grateful to Blizzard, the Steen family, and to every player who joined us in honoring Mats Steen and making a real difference in the lives of those affected by Duchenne,” said Debra Miller, the founder and CEO of CureDuchenne.

The money raised will go toward research and care programs for individuals affected by the rare neuromuscular disease.

Wine gala fundraiser is March 1

Napa in Newport returns March 1 at Pendry Newport Beach.

The fundraising event features Napa Valley vintners serving their finest wines, with proceeds benefiting CureDuchenne. The nonprofit raises money to fund research to cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Napa in Newport includes a grand tasting, dining tables, dinner with wine pairings and an auction. This year’s Vintner Chair is Morlet Family Vineyards, a family-owned winery with the food curated by Michelin-starred chef and author Philip Tessier of Press Restaurant in Napa Valley.

For more information and tickets, go to napainnewport.org

Michael’s Sports Pub & Grill in Westminster is celebrating its 25th anniversary the weekend of March 29-30. (Photo courtesy of Google street-view maps)

Birthday party at Michael’s

Michael’s Sports Pub & Grill in Westminster is celebrating its 25th anniversary the weekend of March 29-30. During the Sunday festivities, the pub will feature a car show, wing-eating contest and a commemorating plaque from the city for its years of business.

Address: 15192 Goldenwest St. in the Goldenwest Plaza.

New ventures

Stretto, a law firm with offices in Irvine, Denver and New York, recently launched a legal claims administration services division. The team specializes in mass tort, regulatory remediation, and consumer and securities class action cases. For more information about the firm, go to stretto.com.

Danielle Tolentino Tuason last week opened Seniors Helping Seniors in Orange. The company offers franchise opportunities to caregivers who provide in-home help, errands, light housekeeping and companionship for seniors. Tolentino Tuason’s office is at the City Tower in Orange. Address: 333 City Blvd. 17th Floor. Her office services clients in Orange, North Tustin, Yorba Linda, Placentia, Brea and Fullerton. For more information, call 657-608-2273 or email [email protected].

Jennifer Mower is the new director of the GWC Foundation at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. She started Jan. 29, replacing longtime foundation director Bruce Berman, who retired last June. (Photo courtesy of Golden West College)

On the move

Jennifer Mower is the new director of the GWC Foundation at Golden West College in Huntington Beach. She started Jan. 29, replacing longtime foundation director Bruce Berman, who retired last June. Mower comes to GWC from the Orange County Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, where she served as director of development since 2016.

The Quicksilver store on Forest Avenue in Laguna Beach, CA on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. The store is among 100 Liberated Brands retail locations being shuttered. Liberated Brands is the distributor of Billabong, Quiksilver and Volcom. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

News from last week

Surfwear stores closing: Beach reporter Laylan Connelly had the latest on Liberated Brand, the retail operator behind surfwear heavyweights Quiksilver, Billabong on Volcom. Liberated filed for bankruptcy last week and is now getting ready to close 100 retail stores nationwide. The actual brands will live on as Authentic looks to new operators to resume sales through other retailers and e-commerce sites.

Costco strike averted: The Teamsters union and the warehouse retailer reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, avoiding a strike last week. Details of the agreement, which must be approved by members, weren’t immediately available.

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

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