Rite Aid is closing even more stores this year. In a May 9 filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, the company confirmed that it will shut down 68 additional locations across seven states. This is part of its ongoing effort to restructure its business under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
If you rely on Rite Aid for prescriptions or everyday pharmacy needs, you might want to check if your local store is on the closure list. Rite Aid says it still operates about 1,240 stores across 15 states, but that number keeps shrinking. As the company seeks a buyer, more closures could be on the way.
Why is Rite Aid closing more stores?
The closures are a direct result of financial troubles that have been brewing for years. According to Rite Aid CEO Matt Schroeder, the decision to file for bankruptcy and close more stores was due to “financial challenges intensified by the rapidly evolving retail and healthcare landscapes.”
In simpler terms, rising operational costs, stiff competition from CVS and Walgreens, and changes in how you and others shop for healthcare have all played a role in dragging the company down.
Rite Aid has secured $1.94 billion in new financing to keep its stores running during bankruptcy proceedings. So while closures are happening, the company says it is committed to providing “uninterrupted pharmacy services” to customers.
Which states are affected by the latest Rite Aid closures?
These new closures will hit California, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and New Jersey. Here is a state-by-state breakdown:
California
- 3860 Sepulveda Boulevard, Torrance, 90505
- 5075 Olivehurst Avenue, Olivehurst, 95961
New Hampshire
- 360 Summer Street, Bristol, 03222
- 41 Carroll Street, Pittsfield, 03263
New York
- 9 Broad Street, Salamanca, 14779
- 1070 Genesee Street, Buffalo, 14211
Oregon
- 728 SW 4th Avenue, Ontario, 97914
- 4041 NW Logan Road, Lincoln City, 97367
- 2049 W Cascade Avenue, Hood River, 97031
- 178 W Ellendale Avenue, Dallas, 97338
- 1217 Campbell Street, Baker City, 97814
- 44 Michigan Avenue NE, Bandon, 97411
- 313 S Roosevelt Drive, Seaside, 97138
- 626 McClaine St., Silverton, 97381
Pennsylvania
- 805 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley, 19006
- 6 Bochicchio Blvd., Moscow, 18444
- 601 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, 18071
- 315 W Fourth Street, Quarryville, 17566
- 2201 W Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, 19132
- 10 Newport Plaza, Newport, 17074
- 801 Grow Avenue, Montrose, 18801
- 2503-05 Welsh Road, Philadelphia, 19114
- 5 Friendly Drive, Duncannon, 17020
- 260 W Lehigh Avenue #80, Philadelphia
Washington
(Addresses not listed in source, but included in the total count of 68 closures)
New Jersey
(Addresses not listed in source, but also part of the 68 closures)
If you live in or near these areas, it is a good idea to check with your local Rite Aid to see if it is affected. You can also go to the company’s website or call customer service to find updated info.
Will your prescriptions be affected?
One of the biggest concerns you probably have is what happens to your prescriptions if your store is closing. Rite Aid says they are “working to facilitate a smooth transfer of customer prescriptions to other pharmacies.”
So, no—you should not lose access to your medications. If your store is closing, your prescription will most likely be moved to another nearby pharmacy. You may even be notified directly by the company or your pharmacist.
Still, it would be smart to call ahead or visit your store before the closing date to find out where your prescriptions will be transferred.
What happens to Rite Aid employees?
Rite Aid says one of its main goals during the bankruptcy process is to “preserve jobs for as many associates as possible.” But let’s be honest: with stores closing left and right, many employees will likely be displaced.
The company has not provided details on how many workers are affected by this latest round of closures. But if you or someone you know works for Rite Aid, it is a difficult time with a lot of uncertainty.
