Updated 6/5: Despite the layoff notices to the State of New York effective yesterday and an array of media reports listing June 4 as a closing date, the East Village Rite Aid remains open on First Avenue. An employee had no idea when they might close and hadn't been updated on its status. She said she'd be there until they told her the store was closed for good.
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According to WARN notices filed with the New York State Department of Labor, 15 employees are losing their jobs at the East Village location effective today. (All state layoff notices for the remaining Rite Aids are dated June 4.)
"Your prescriptions will be transferred to a chain pharmacy nearby, probably either CVS or Duane Reade, whichever company buys the prescriptions from us," a store employee told us last month.
Crain's, who first noted the June 4 closing date, reported that the leases for the 33 metropolitan Rite Aids are heading to auction via a New Jersey bankruptcy court. Interested bidders may register with A&G Real Estate Partners. (Updated: Spectrum News also reported the June 4 closure
The EV Rite Aid was reportedly leasing the space for upwards of $50,000 per month.
Strauss News did some digging on the single-level building's ownership here on the SW corner of First Avenue at Fifth Street:
The 1920s-era East Village building has been owned by the New Tandem Equities since 2007, city property records reveal, when it was sold to them for $4.2 million by an LLC under developer Anthony Marano's control. Marano, in turn, had bought the building from grocery store mogul (Gristedes and D’Agostino's) and radio station owner (WABC 770 AM) John Catsimatidis in 2005.
Again, the auction is for the leases, not the properties. The EV lease is reportedly set to expire in 2032.
The shelves at the First Avenue Rite Aid have been mostly barren for over a year, although this store managed to survive the previous company turmoil.
EVG readers praised the efficient pharmacy staff at the EV Rite Aid. Per one commenter last month: "Their pharmacists were always extremely helpful, and the customer service was excellent!"
23 comments:
I was at the pharmacy yesterday to make sure my refill Rx would still be filled and they told me they would be there until July.
Just FYI, your prescription will not be automatically transferred to CVS or Duane Reade. Went to CVS on Houston and had to film out a sheet to make the transfer. They said they'd call Rite Aid. It's been a bit of a mess, with all the people trying to transfer. Was suggested to just call my doctor and have them send the prescriptions to new pharmacy rather than wait for CVS to manually do it. Might be best to contact your doctor directly!
Speaking of pharmacies the CVS on First Ave has become more of a shit show than ever. Inertia has kept us there for years but it's just unpleasant. Has anyone had a good experience at a pharmacy in the area they might recommend?
What a shame. There aren't really any other convenient pharmacies in this area (yeah I know there's Block over on 2 and CVS on Houston) but for the density of the area there are not a lot.
I too had to break up with CVS for various reasons and I'm now going to a small family-owned pharmacy in the neighborhood: New York City Pharmacy at 206 1st Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets. So far so good!
I highly recommend Abacus Pharmacy on 1st Ave.
https://abacuspharmacy.com/
There is a great non-chain pharmacy at 3rd street and Ave A, south-west corner. Support local businesses.
Sorry - 2nd Avenue
Agree that the CVS on First Ave & 14th has declined & always seems very overloaded. DR on Ave B & E 2nd does a better job. In addition to Block mentioned below by anon 10:26, East Village Prescription Center at Ave A & E 3rd is another small independent option.
There's also Ave C pharmacy, though definitely not as close to the Rite Aid location.
We live across the street from them for years but only went in once years ago.
They are wonderful! It almost broke me when Ali passed during the pandemic, and I couldn't go in there for months... I'm super dedicated to this pharmacy.
I went there yesterday and was told it would probably be July when they close. They are still getting shipments in the middle of the night. I hear and see them.
I was in there a week ago and the manager told me it was the out-of-control shoplifting as the main reason why they are closing out this store. Shoplifters were coming in regularly and grabbing armfuls of store goods and running out the front door onto 1st Avenue. They complained to the police who parked a NYPD patrol car in front of the drugstore with the emergency lights on but no officers inside which did not fool the shoplifters at all. It is a real shame.
rite aid will not transfer script. You need to call your Dr office and ask them to rewrite script to your new pharmacy. tell them the location is closing and give them a new pharmacy. save yourself the headache
The cvs on Astor place isn’t terrible . I avoid the one on 14th and 1st just because it’s a little shady outside everytime I walk by.
Seconded—East Village Prescription Center, 3rd St and Ave A.
No. The Rite Aid corporation is in liquidation. They are closing all their ~1500 stores.
Correct!
I'll miss the free digital blood pressure/pulse machine
What an abysmal way to treat employees…????!!!!?
People tell the shoplifting lie compulsively even when the real reason for store closure is all over the article! The chain went bankrupt!
Those were useful. Wish one of the other chains would adopt them.
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