Rite Aid to Close 117 Stores in Ohio by End of September Amid Bankruptcy Struggles

According to the Sun, Rite Aid is set to close 117 of its 121 stores in Ohio by the end of September as the company navigates bankruptcy. In total, 300 stores will be shuttered across two states, with only four Rite Aid locations remaining in Ohio.

The four remaining stores in Ohio will be:

• 419 Claremont Ave. in Ashland
• 1045 Wheeling Ave. in Cambridge
• 735 N. Water St. in Uhrichsville
• 1955 Cleveland Rd. in Wooster

These closures follow Rite Aid’s 2023 bankruptcy filing and an earlier announcement that 154 stores would close.

A spokesperson explained the decision to close the Ohio stores: “As part of our Chapter 11 process, we were required to go through a retail sale process, allowing prospective buyers to bid on parts of our business. As a result, we made the difficult but necessary business decision to exit these markets. While we’ve had to make tough business decisions over the past several months to improve our business and optimize our retail footprint, we are committed to becoming financially and operationally healthy.”

More Closures on the Horizon

An Ohio pharmacist revealed that the closure plans were first communicated in June. “They had a conference call on Monday and let us know that the corporation decided to close the stores in Ohio and Michigan,” the anonymous employee shared with the Ohio Capital Journal. The employee noted that only a few exceptions remain and that staff members are expected to work until the stores close.

Court documents confirm that 165 Michigan stores are also being closed, leaving only 20 of the 185 original locations in operation.

The closures are expected to have a significant impact on local communities, particularly in areas where Rite Aid is the only nearby pharmacy. The loss of these stores could create challenges for customers seeking to fill their prescriptions.

In Michigan, where some stores have already closed, customers expressed sadness and concern. Eric Roath, director of government affairs at the Michigan Pharmacists Association, warned that the closures would overwhelm other local pharmacies, leading to longer wait times and increased pressure on both staff and customers.

The union UFCW 951, representing about 325 employees in Western Michigan, has negotiated severance packages for affected workers. However, union president John Cakmakci noted that these benefits are only temporary.

Rite Aid has already closed over 500 stores since declaring bankruptcy.

Additionally, a popular grocery store chain and a renowned bank have announced multiple closures across various states.