The former Rite Aid is looking more like a grocery store every day

Photos Saturday by Stacie Joy 

The grocery transformation of the former Rite Aid on First Avenue at Fifth Street continues. 

In recent days, workers have brought in refrigeration units, and a check-out of sorts is shaping up...

Unfortunately, we still haven't learned which grocery this will be... no one, including neighbors and local officials, seems to know. Even a few workers who spoke with us at the start of the renovation didn't know — they were just there to install lighting for what will be a new grocery store. 

The East Village Rite Aid closed on Aug. 24 after five weeks of going-out-of-business sales. The 63-year-old pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy twice in two years before shutting down entirely last month. 

The EV lease for the 8,500-square-foot space was auctioned off this past summer. (The auction was just for the lease, set to expire in January 2032, not the building.)

Under-renovation former Rite Aid on 1st Avenue now with plywood

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The retail conversion of the former Rite Aid continues on First Avenue at Fifth Street. 

Plywood now covers half of the storefront. 

Here's a look inside as of yesterday...

Several workers said they are preparing the space for a grocery store, though they didn't know which brand. Hopefully, we will have a signage alert soon enough. 

The East Village Rite Aid closed on Aug. 24 after five weeks of going-out-of-business sales. The 63-year-old pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy twice in two years before shutting down entirely last month.

The EV lease for the 8,500-square-foot space was auctioned off this past summer. (The auction was just for the lease, set to expire in January 2032, not the building.)