'We thank our loyal customers': Rite Aid, America's most famous pharmacy, closes all stores after decades of service

One of America’s most famous pharmacy names officially closed its doors. Rite Aid, one of the country’s largest drugstore chains, has closed all its remaining stores after years of financial struggle. According to Pennlive, the announcement came quietly on the company’s website. At the bottom of his homepage read a simple line: “All Rite Aid stores have now closed. We thank our loyal customers for their many years of support.” From the rise to ruin, the closures are the end of a long chapter for the company, founded in 1962 and at its peak more than 5000 stores in the United States, according to drug topics cited by the New York Times. In 2023, Rite Aid still had about 2000 stores and 45,000 employees, including 6,100 pharmacists. But the company faced years of challenges. Rite Aid struggled to compete with larger opponents such as CVs and Walgreens and also faced more than 1,000 lawsuits, accusing it of filling illegal precepts for painkillers. Bankruptcy and stores include financial problems. They submitted to Chapter 11 in October 2023 and closed 154 stores. After not working, they resubmitted in the US Bankruptcy Court for the New Jersey district in May 2025. Drivers said the only way forward was to sell assets through the bankruptcy process. Between May and August 2025, Rite Aid 20 submitted separate updates to the bankruptcy court announcing which stores would close next. The last two locations, one in Bainbridge Island, Washington, and another in Bend, Oregon, closed on September 29. CVS also took 64 stores in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The departure of the company left many empty storage sites. In Pennsylvania alone, more than 45 stores have been closed in Dauphin, Cumberland, York, Lebanon, Perry and Lancaster provinces over the past few years, with many spaces still vacant. Farewell message reflected on the closure, Rite Aid CEO Matt Schroeder said earlier this year: “The company has played a critical role in supporting the healthcare needs of countless Americans. I will be forever grateful to our thousands of collaborators for their dedication to help and his mission.” Questions 1. Why did Rite help close all its stores? Rite Aid faces years of financial struggles, competition from larger chains such as CVs and Walgreens, and legal challenges. After submitting a bankruptcy for chapter 11 twice, the company decided to close all remaining stores. 2. Where can I transfer my rite aid prescriptions? Rite Aid customers can have their prescriptions and immunization records that are transferred to CVS, Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger, Weis, Giant Eagle and other participating pharmacies. 3. When did Rite help with its last stores closed? The last two Rite Aid locations closed on September 29, 2025 in Bainbridge Island, Washington and Bend, Oregon.