AT 10:30 Thursday morning, with the temperature in Little Neck, Queens, hovering at freezing, the only person to be seen on Northern Boulevard was Joan Sullivan, age 83.

Sporting a pink felt bucket hat, beige gloves and a matching parka studded with United States Olympic team buttons, Ms. Sullivan was heading out to do errands. With a small shopping cart in tow, she gazed across the street at an empty storefront that has everyone in the neighborhood talking - at least everyone beyond retirement age.

Until early last month, the storefront was home to an Eckerd Pharmacy, the neighborhood's only remaining drugstore. But unlike residents of many Queens neighborhoods who are trying to get rid of chain stores, residents of Little Neck wanted Eckerd to stay. Now, prescriptions must be shuttled over to the CVS in Douglaston, about a half-mile away, and a big red banner bearing the words "Coming Soon: Staples - That was easy" has been draped over the spot where Eckerd's logo was.