The end is near for Rite Aid.
Like Joann Fabrics before it, Rite Aid has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years and is beginning a process to sell or close all its locations, USA TODAY reports. The company operates 1,240 stores in 15 states, including Ohio.
Customers can continue to get their medications at Rite Aid pharmacies as the company works to facilitate a smooth transfer of customer prescriptions to other pharmacies, according to a May 5 press release.
How many Rite Aid pharmacies are in Ohio? Here’s what to know.
How many Rite Aid stores are in Ohio?
In June 2024, Rite Aid operated 142 stores in Ohio, Crain’s Cleveland Business reported at the time. According to the Rite Aid’s website, that number has been cut down to four:
Rite Aid announced that 35 Ohio stores would close in January 2024. Another 16 shut down that June.
Is Rite Aid going out of business? Company files bankruptcy twice in less than two years
Rite Aid first filed for bankruptcy in October 2023 and closed hundreds of stores in the months after that. The company filed for bankruptcy to restructure and cope with losses and lawsuits related to opioids and intended to sell parts of its company.
The company’s second bankruptcy was filed on May 5, 2025. This time, Rite Aid’s CEO pointed to additional financial challenges that “intensified by the rapidly evolving retail and healthcare landscapes,” resulted in filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, USA TODAY reports.
“As we move forward, our key priorities are ensuring uninterrupted pharmacy services for our customers and preserving jobs for as many associates as possible,” Rite Aid CEO Matt Schroeder said in the press release.
Are all Rite Aid stores closing?
Rite Aid is looking to sell its stores and plans to “initiate store closing sales,” per USA TODAY. Eventually, all stores that haven’t sold will close, according to its bankruptcy filing.
The company has acquired $1.94 billion in new financing to keep stores operational during the bankruptcy proceedings and potential sale, according to its statement.
Will Walgreens or CVS buy Rite Aid stores?
Rival pharmacies may not be in the market for Rite Aid stores.
In October 2024, Walgreens announced plans to close 1,200 stores after reporting $3 billion in losses in the previous fiscal year.
Similarly, CVS Pharmacy closed nearly 400 locations across Ohio, and the retailer has closed at least 900 stores over the past few years, according to CNN.
What will happen to Rite Aid prescriptions?
Rite Aid “is working to facilitate a smooth transfer of customer prescriptions to other pharmacies,” according to its statement.
Contact your local store if you have additional questions.
Rite Aid joins Big Lots, Macy’s, Kohl’s, JCPenney in closing stores
Rite Aid joins several other national retailers in filing for bankruptcy and closing stores in 2025. They include:
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Are Ohio Rite Aid stores closing? Company files for bankruptcy, again. See full Ohio list
Reporting by Chad Murphy, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
