Uh oh, Rite Aid is at it again…
If you’ve driven past a Rite Aid lately and noticed the lights off or a “Store Closing” sign in the window, you’re not alone — Rite Aid is closing down another 114 stores across the United States.
Yes, you read that right. The pharmacy chain that’s been around for generations is going through yet another massive round of closures. And this isn’t the first time — or even the second time — this has happened recently. In fact, Rite Aid has filed for bankruptcy twice in less than two years, and this latest wave of shutdowns is part of the mess they’re trying to clean up.
Let’s dive into why this is happening, what it means for communities, and most importantly — which stores are closing next.
Why is Rite Aid closing more stores?
To put it simply: things got out of hand.
Rite Aid has been struggling with a laundry list of problems:
- Too much debt
- Slowing sales
- Heavy competition from giants like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Amazon
- Opioid-related lawsuits — lots of them
In 2023, the company first filed for bankruptcy protection to try and stay afloat. That round of restructuring shut down 154 stores right off the bat. But that didn’t fix everything.
By 2024, Rite Aid came back into private ownership, still carrying $2.5 billion in liabilities. And now, in 2025, it’s going through a second bankruptcy, approved by a court in New Jersey. This time, they’re shutting down another 114 locations, bringing the company’s once massive footprint to just about 1,245 stores left across the country.
What’s causing the pharmacy crisis?
Experts in the pharmacy world — like George Hill from Deutsche Bank — saw this coming. According to him, the entire industry has been building way too many stores, way too fast, without actually keeping up with what communities need. It’s like opening 100 pizza places in a town that only needs 5. So now, stores are closing all over the place as the industry corrects itself.
On top of that, Rite Aid had some internal trouble with money management — overspending, underperforming, and not adjusting to modern shopping habits. Meanwhile, competitors like Amazon are zooming past with home delivery services and slick online tools that attract today’s tech-savvy shoppers.
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Which states are being hit the hardest?
If you’re living in Pennsylvania, brace yourself. That state is getting hit the hardest by this round of closures, with 42 stores shutting down. California is next, followed by New York and New Jersey.
Here’s the updated breakdown by state:
- Pennsylvania: 42 stores
- California: 27 stores
- New York: 13 stores
- New Jersey: 11 stores
- Washington: 7 stores
- Delaware: 3 stores
- Maryland: 2 stores
- Connecticut: 2 stores
- Vermont: 2 stores
- New Hampshire: 1 store
- Idaho: 1 store
- Ohio: 1 store
That’s a pretty wide spread, with more than a dozen states losing at least one Rite Aid location. If your city isn’t affected this time, you might still want to keep an eye on things — more closures could still be coming.
Why it matters to you (even if you don’t shop there)
Now, you might be thinking, “Well, I don’t even go to Rite Aid.” But hold on — this affects more than just shoppers. Local pharmacies often serve as community hubs, especially in neighborhoods without easy access to larger chains or hospitals. Rite Aid locations offer:
- Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications
- Vaccinations and flu shots
- Quick grocery and toiletry runs
- Support for elderly or low-income residents
When one of these stores closes, it’s not just about losing a place to buy cough syrup. It’s about losing convenience, losing jobs, and in many cases, losing a part of the community.
For family-owned or independent pharmacies, these closures can also be a signal of more trouble ahead — especially as big players continue to dominate and push the little guys out.
Rite aid’s bumpy ride: A quick timeline
Let’s do a quick rewind to understand how Rite Aid got here:
- 2023: First bankruptcy filing due to debt, falling sales, and opioid lawsuits
- 154 stores closed immediately
- 2024: Rite Aid exits bankruptcy under new ownership — still $2.5B in debt
- 2025: Second bankruptcy hits, court approves plan to close 114 more stores
- Company now operates just over 1,200 stores, down from 2,284 a few years ago
At this rate, the chain that once had thousands of locations nationwide might soon become a niche brand — or disappear completely.
So, what happens next?
Right now, the company is focused on restructuring and selling off assets. It’s also looking to “optimize” its store footprint, which is corporate-speak for “shrink fast and survive.”
Whether or not Rite Aid will make it through this second bankruptcy remains to be seen. But here’s what you can expect:
- More closures are possible later this year
- Some locations may be sold off to competitors
- Store hours and staff could be reduced at surviving locations
- Shoppers may be encouraged to switch to mail-order or digital services
Check before you shop
If Rite Aid is part of your weekly routine, now’s a good time to check if your local store is closing. Many of the affected locations have already started liquidation sales, which means deep discounts on merchandise — but also shorter hours and fewer staff members to help.
Don’t get caught off guard. Look for signage, talk to store managers, and keep tabs on the news. And if your store is one of the unlucky 114, it might be time to move your prescriptions and start scouting for your new go-to pharmacy.
