NBC News – Rite Aid has announced it will close at least 154 stores as part of its bankruptcy process.
The chain had 2,253 stores as of Sept. 3, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey also approved additional closings at a later date. The company has not disclosed how many more stores it may shut down.
Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday after struggling for years with debt and sluggish sales. The Wall Street Journal reported in September that Rite Aid was negotiating with its creditors over a plan to close 400 to 500 stores.
The states hardest hit by the closures include Pennsylvania, California and New York.
Rite Aid is currently the third-largest U.S. drugstore chain behind CVS and Walgreens, which have around 9,000 locations each.
But all three are closing stores as they deal with greater competition from pharmacies in big box stores and grocery chains, as well as newer retailers in the beauty industry and online pharmacies.
The loss of pharmacies is a serious problem, especially for people in poorer urban and rural areas, according to Nick Fabrizio, senior lecturer in health policy at Cornell University and also a consultant for hospitals and medical groups.
“If that’s your one Rite Aid that’s closing, the thought of having to go 20 minutes to find another Walmart or another pharmacy is daunting,” he said, referring to people in smaller towns.
Locatoins closing soon include:
California
5448 4044 Eagle Rock Boulevard, Los Angeles
5457 4046 South Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles
5466 7859 Firestone Boulevard, Downey
5521 4402 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach
5571 935 North Hollywood Way, Burbank
5585 139 North Grand Avenue, Covina
5593 13905 Amar Road, La Puente
5611 920 East Valley Boulevard, Alhambra
5635 3813 Plaza Drive, Oceanside
5638 1670 Main Street, Ramona
5657 6505 Mission Gorge Road, San Diego
5661 8985 Mira Mesa Boulevard, San Diego
5730 25906 Newport Road, Menifee
5735 24829 Del Prado, Dana Point
5753 30222 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
5757 19701 Yorba Linda Boulevard, Yorba Linda
5760 1406 West Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana
See the full list here.
