If you’ve driven through downtown Atlanta, you’ve probably seen the iconic Walgreens in the Olympia Building. It stands at the corner of Edgewood Avenue, Decatur Street and Peachtree Street. It’s hard to miss, with its huge flashing Coca-Cola sign on top and classic structure.
It might seem like an odd spot for a Walgreens, but this location is beloved by the community, and one of the only spots to grab toiletries downtown. So it’s shocking news that the Walgreens location is closing permanently.
WSB Radio reported that their crews, “drove by the building on Saturday afternoon and saw signs on the door saying that the store would close on April 9.” The sign also stated that anyone who picked up their prescriptions from this Walgreens could “get their prescriptions from any other Walgreens location.”
About the Olympia Building
The City of Atlanta calls the Olympia Building, which currently houses Walgreens, “one of Atlanta’s most noted street corners. In years gone by, it was one of Atlanta’s favorite meeting places, a place to ‘hang-out,’ gossip, grab a magazine and a ‘coke’, or a ride home on a passing streetcar.”
The Olympia Building has a pretty fascinating history. According to the City of Atlanta, “In the mid-1840s, Atlanta’s first post office and general store were located in a wood structure on the Olympia site…” From there several structures were built atop that land. Construction of the building as we see it today began in the mid 1930s. This makes it one of the only Depression-era buildings still standing in the city.
Walgreens moved into the historic location in 2016.
What’s next?
So far, nothing has been announced for the historic Olympia Building in downtown Atlanta. WSB says there have been no reports for a new store to move into the building. But as soon as we know what’s coming, we’ll let you know too!