Duane Reade opened up a store on Bedford Ave., in the heart of Williamsburg, last week. For a long time, there has been outrage at the fact that the commercial pharmacy is moving in, edging out mom-and-pop stores.

But come on, guys. What’s the big deal? I mean, sure, at one time Williamsburg was an artist’s refuge, free from the dominion of 24 hour convenience stores and accessible to people who wanted to move underneath the radar. But as anyone who’s gotten off at the Bedford L stop (or tried looking for an apartment in the area) recently can see, those days are long past. Bedford Avenue needs a Duane Reade to support Bedford’s influx of people who actually have careers, and who need the safety and convenience of a commercial pharmacy.

The L Magazine recently interviewed a local writer who is disgusted at the fact that this Walgreens-operated pharmacy is moving in. Sure you can protest and boycott and pay more money for diapers at the “local” pharmacies, but ultimately if you’re into saving local businesses, you probably can’t afford to live on Bedford Ave. For the girl who doesn’t like the way Bedford feels anymore, just move to Bushwick already.