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ARMONK, N.Y. One resident called it a stinking, lousy, no-good corporation, but that did not stop the North Castle Town Board from approving the special-use permit for CVS and its plan to move in to the old A&P location.
I think its disgusting, said Judy Willsey, Armonk resident and owner of Framings on Main Street. Large corporations undercut everything we sell and lure people in to the store with huge discounts.
Almost a dozen citizens spoke in front of the board at its meeting Wednesday night at Town Hall, saying a big-name corporation like CVS does not fit the character of Armonk and North Castle. The board approved the permit by a 3-2 vote, with councilmen Michael Schiliro and Stephen DAngelo voting no.
Town Planner Adam Kaufman said it would be difficult to vote against the permit since CVS plans to move in to a store that is set to welcome them.
There is no timetable for when the pharmacy would open, but CVS officials said the store will have 20 employees.
This is a different situation because were dealing with an existing retail space, Kaufman said. That is actually going to be smaller than the grandfathered use of the space.
Armonk resident Michael Ferari said he was in favor of the CVS, and that it would be impossible to not overlap businesses in any situation.
Thats the nature of business, everyone is trying to fit in more products and services, Ferari said.
Jeff Baker, an attorney for the Concerned Citizens of Armonk group, spoke on behalf of his clients, who are led by Town Center Pharmacy owner Charlene Jacobi. Baker urged the board to reject the application and protect the unique character of Armonk.
With CVS set to move in after the approval, Willsey was not confident her picture frame business could survive.
As if the economy isnt bad enough, now we have a CVS shoved down our throats, she said.
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