BIZNOTE FOLLOWUPS: Third West Seattle CVS opening day; what Mechanics Bank plans at ex-HomeStreet

Two name-change followups:

ADMIRAL CVS: West Seattle is now officially without a Bartell Drugs store. The third local drugstore to become a CVS, the ex-Bartell in Admiral, reopened today under the new name. WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen reports that it’s open but still in transition, as all the parking-lot activity suggests:

The Jefferson Square ex-Bartell made the same changeover last week.

MECHANICS BANK: As previously reported, this Northern California-based bank has taken over HomeStreet Bank, and now that it’s official, they’re commenting on how it will affect West Seattle customers. Bottom line: It mostly won’t. A Mechanics Bank spokesperson confirmed to us that the West Seattle Junction branch (and all other former HomeStreet branches) will remain open, that the staff will be the same, and the hours/days will be the same. Any products/services changing? That reply: “Generally speaking, there are no changes. Customer accounts and services will remain unchanged. As we prepare to integrate systems (sometime in early 2026), we will provide advance information about any future changes to products and services.”

Mellow Kitty September 4, 2025 (7:31 am)

Great. Just what we need. A bank monopoly. Pretty soon, we’re all going to be working for Brawndo, The Thirst Mutilator. Brought to you by Carl’s Jr.

Mellow Kitty September 4, 2025 (10:42 am)

Translation: Monopolies are taking hold. CVS owns what used to be three different companies (Target Pharmacies are the third). Kroger, Amazon and Albertson corner the grocery market, especially in this area. Banks are sneakily consolidating into one entity. Here’s the breakdown on CVS alone: CVS bought 625 Rite Aid/Bartell Drugs (let’s not forget that Rite Aid bought Bartell Drugs and immediately filed for bankruptcy). They also own all 1,600+ pharmacies found in Target and Target Clinics. CVS owns Aetna, Caremark, MinuteClinic, Soma, Oak Street Health, Omnicare, Coram, Long Drugs, Navarro Discount Pharmacies, and Signify Health. This doesn’t include the number of “mom and pop stores” that CVS now owns as well. This is not okay.

What do I know September 4, 2025 (2:10 pm)

There are other walk-in pharmacies like Safeway, QFC, Costco, Walgreens, and those at hospitals, as well as mail order pharmacies like Express Scripts or Optum Rx. My glass is half-full.

anonyme September 5, 2025 (11:11 am)

I agree, Mellow Kitty. CVS is a grotesque monopoly that has supplanted local businesses. I really hate this megastore model. Monopolies are never good. I will be closing my account at the former Bartell’s and moving elsewhere, just not sure where yet…

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