Duane Reade Pharmacy

Union Square hums with subway transfers and farmers’ market stalls. Between the chess tables and the late-night ramen spots, Duane Reade Pharmacy sits at 1 Union Square South, a steady presence among the neighborhood’s shifting rhythms. Pharmacies here do more than fill prescriptions; they’re the quiet backstop for everything from seasonal allergies to last-minute Band-Aids. Medication disposal keeps expired pills out of landfills and waterways, while naloxone kits are stocked for anyone who asks—no questions, no judgment. The shelves also hold the usual staples: pain relievers, sunscreen, and the kind of single-use umbrellas that save you when the sky opens up between subway stops. A map is available here if you’re threading through the square’s weekend crowds. Call (212) 358-8206 when you need something you forgot to pack. Everyone forgets something.