Duane Reade is not sleeping on this Rite Aid closing-soon situation

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The Duane Reade/Walgreens on the corner of Avenue B and Second Street is not being passive about the pending closure of the East Village Rite Aid. 

Signage is up welcoming Rite Aid pharmacy customers from the First Avenue and Fifth Street outpost, even though that business may be open untill later next month. (An official closing date hasn't been set.)

Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy (again) in May, citing years of financial struggles and a rapidly changing retail pharmacy market. All of the company's New York locations either have closed or will soon. 

In previous posts about Rite Aid, EVG readers suggested ideas for local, independent pharmacies to consider:

• Abacus Pharmacy, 168 Second Ave. 

• Avalon Chemist, 7 Second Ave. 

• Avenue C Pharmacy, 178 Avenue C 

• Block Drug Store, 101 Second Ave.

• East Village Prescription Center, 41 Avenue A 

• Equal Care Pharmacy, 753 E. Fifth St. (specializing in hepatitis and post-heart/kidney/liver transplant drug therapy) 

• Loisaida Drug & Surgicals, 273 E. Third St. 

• Medilane Drugs, 227 Avenue B 

• New York City Pharmacy, 206 First Ave. 

• Whitney Chemists, 50 University Place

[Updated] The East Village Rite Aid does NOT close today on 1st Avenue

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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The bankrupt pharmacy chain Rite Aid is closing all of its locations in New York State, with the three Manhattan stores, including the one at 81 First Ave., shutting down today.

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.)

As previously reported, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy (again) last month, citing years of financial struggles and a rapidly changing retail pharmacy market. CEO Matt Schroeder stated that the chain was selling off its assets and transitioning its pharmacy services to competitors. 

"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!"

Rite Aid is closing its remaining New York stores, including on 1st Avenue in the East Village

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

As part of another Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, Rite Aid is reportedly closing (or selling) all 184 outposts in New York State, including 81 First Ave. at Fifth Street. 

A spokesperson told ABC 7 in Buffalo that "the company is still in the process of selling its stores and assets and all locations will not necessarily close next month. The company says the sale process is fluid, and some stores could be acquired by another company that would allow them to remain open."

Employees at the East Village location learned the news on Monday. 

"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.

Also, currently: "We may not be able to get stock, so you should think about transferring your prescriptions soon." 

As for closing signage, there weren't any as of early yesterday afternoon.

"We just found out, so we haven't made any signs yet, but they should start going up," the employee said. "Rite Aid is closing all up the seaboard, not just here."

Here is some background on how Rite Aid got here via The Associated Press: 

Philadelphia-based Rite Aid had been closing stores and struggling with losses for years before its first bankruptcy filing in 2023. The company says its "only viable path forward" is a return to Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. 

The company said in letter to vendors that it has been hit with several financial challenges that have grown more intense. Rite Aid and its competitors have been dealing with tighter profits on their prescriptions, increased theft, court settlements over opioid prescriptions and customers who are drifting to online shopping and discount retailers.

No word on an official closing date. 

Back to the AP: 

Stores will remain open for now, but the company isn't buying new inventory so bare shelves are likely become more common. 

"I think what we'll progressively see is the stores will become more and more spartan," said retail analyst Neil Saunders. 

The shelves at the First Avenue Rite Aid have been mostly barren for over a year, though this store made it through the previous company turmoil.

The one-story First Avenue location sits on a prime East Village corner, and developers would likely pay top dollar for another sliver of luxury housing. However, we're not sure what air rights remain after the construction of the 8-story cantilever condominium next door.

H/T EVG reader Elissa

No last rites for the Rite Aid on 1st Avenue

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Halloween displays at the Rite Aid on First Avenue and Fifth Street are a bit sparse...

As we've noted, the entire store is a little sparse... but this location will remain open...

Last month, Rite Aid emerged from bankruptcy. Per Reuters: 

Rite Aid will operate as a private company after it successfully completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy... The pharmacy has used its bankruptcy to close hundreds of stores, sell its pharmacy benefit company Elixir, and negotiate settlements with its lenders, drug distribution partner McKesson and other creditors. 

There's signage in the pharmacy department about this... thanking customers and stating that Rite Aid is not going out of business...

Hopefully, they can afford a head for Santa this year!)

The Rite Aid on 1st Avenue doesn't look like a store that will be in business much longer

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

According to multiple published reports, Rite Aid plans to close 92 stores nationwide in 2024 as the chain continues to work through a bankruptcy proceeding. 

Since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last October, Rite Aid has been grappling with its financial woes, which have led to the closure of numerous locations. However, the East Village outpost on First Avenue at Fifth Street has managed to escape the hit list. 

Here's more about why the company has struggled via Forbes:

Multiple factors contributed to Rite Aid's bankruptcy. It was larded with debt and faced more than a thousand opioid-related lawsuits. Yet its business has been deteriorating for years as it struggled to compete against larger companies like CVS, Amazon, Walgreens...

During a recent visit, I saw barren shelves throughout the store. Management here told me they are having a "tough time getting any product or supply right now." When I asked if they were closing, I was told, "Right now, we're OK, but we really don't know." 

On another stop-by, staff said that the company is saving money by not stocking shelves; they only restock or receive supplies once a week. They also said that, for now, the store is safe and not closing. They did not rule out a closure in the future, but no one's heard anything. 

They said that if the store were to close, the patrons/pharmacy clients would be informed immediately.

Here's a look at the store... where even the COVID-era lockdown shelves were barren...

The 101 Avenue D location had a similar barren look before it eventually closed in 2022. 

The First Avenue location has a special place in our hearts because of its Headless Santa. 

The one-story First Avenue location also sits on a prime East Village corner, and developers would likely pay top dollar for another sliver of luxury housing. 

Rite Aid on Avenue D empties out ahead of rumored closure

Photos by Stacie Joy

A tipster told us that the Rite Aid on Avenue D between Sixth Street and Seventh Street is closing.

During a visit late last week, two employees told us the following: "We don't know if we're really closing or not — they keep telling us different things." 

The store doesn't exactly scream "open for business." Many shelves are empty. One employee said shoplifting is a problem — not just here but everywhere. 

One thing still in stock... DVDs...

Last month, Rite Aid said it plans to close a total of 145 “unprofitable” stores as part of its optimization efforts ... and is reportedly "looking to save in administrative and labor costs and make improvements across payroll and the supply chain, with total savings expected to reach $170 million in 2023."

Rite Aid opened here in the retail space of Niko East Village, the new 12-story retail-residential complex, in late 2018 ... after a move from its previous home one block to the north.

The Duane Reade closed on Avenue D at Second Street in November 2019 ... eventually replaced by a USA Super Stores outpost.  

Breaking: It's Christmas time at Rite Aid

The Rite Aid on First Avenue at Fifth Street is introducing Christmas-related items. (Given the supply chain issues, don't wait to buy!) 

No sign yet of a headless Santa here. 

Thanks to Goggla for the pic!

And now, YOUR NEW RITE AID SIGNAGE ON 1ST AVENUE

After weeks of anticipation, the new Rite Aid signage/brandage has arrived at the outpost on First Avenue and Fifth Street. 

As you can see, gone are the blue and red chevron color blocks (sob!) with a new blue and green (Seattle Seahawks-esque) logo that includes a graphic of a mortar and pestle with an herbal sprig. 

This "integrated rebranding effort is part of Rite Aid’s RxEvolution strategy ... to transform the company into the leading whole health destination that treats mind, body and spirit," per a press release.

Your Rite Aid on 1st Avenue signage update

As a follow-up to Wednesday's post on the disappearing signage at the Rite Aid on First Avenue and Fifth Street...

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was at the store yesterday: "Crew reports new lettering and signage (to reflect new colors, font, etc.) should be up next week. They told me they have no plans to close, that all Rite Aids are being rebranded."

Workers smoothed over the marquee to make way for the new brandage/signage... which will look like this...

And there's a sneak preview up now (thanks Goggla!)...

The mystery of the disappearing Rite Aid sign

Goggla shares this from the corner of First Avenue and Fifth Street...stay tuned for new signage? And are people liking this RA outpost more these days?

Updated 3/12

Per Stacie Joy: "At Rite Aid today: crew reports new lettering and signage (to reflect new colors, font, etc.) should be up next week. They told me they have no plans to close, that all Rite Aids are being rebranded."

Good news if you're done with summer

EVG Fall Holiday Decoration Correspondent Goggla spotted Halloween items out at the Kmart on Astor Place... not to be outdone, the Rite Aid on First Avenue at Fifth Street trotted out the Thanksgiving decor...



Look for the Christmas trees by Labor Day.

Merry ChristmASS from Rite Aid on 1st Avenue

Something to entertain you while waiting in line at the Rite Aid on First Avenue and Fifth Street.

Holiday hijinks or this is just how the monogrammed stockings happened to end up here high on the shelf? Anyway, 50-percent off!

Thanks to Stacie Joy for this photo ...

Planning ahead for 2019 (and beyond?)

Goggla shares these photos from the Rite Aid on First Avenue at Fifth Street, noting: "In case anyone meets The One at the stroke of midnight tonight, Rite Aid is stocked for V-Day."



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On Avenue D, Rite Aid completes the 1-block move to its new (former) home

The Rite Aid is now open in the retail space of Niko East Village, the 12-story retail-residential complex via L+M Development Partners on Avenue D between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...



The store relocated here one block to the south from its previous — and temporary — home in the base of the ground floor of Arabella 101...



With this, Rite Aid is back to its original home. The property where the Niko stands previously housed several one-level storefronts, including Rite Aid (and Shady's pizza!).

And so this Rite Aid chapter closes for now... and there will apparently be retail space available in the Arabella 101. (Maybe it's time to revisit that Kim's Video-interactive pizzeria idea for this space!)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Space that houses Rite Aid on Avenue D hits market for $22.5 million

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

Permit pre-filed for new 12-floor building at 79-89 Avenue D

7th Street residents angered after developer cuts down the wrong tree

NIKO East Village debuts on Avenue D and 6th Street

The Adele joins The Robyn in pop star-friendly East Village corridor

Rentals underway at The Niko on Avenue D

Rite Aid signage arrives at the Niko East Village on Avenue D

The Rite Aid signage arrived back on Friday in the retail space of Niko East Village, the 12-story retail-residential complex via L+M Development Partners on Avenue D between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...



To recap: The lots previously along here housed one-level storefronts that included a Rite Aid, which relocated one block north to the ground floor of Arabella 101. Rite Aid had signed a lease to return to the retail space in this building.

The former Rite Aid at the site of Niko had a pretty cool underwater theme painted on its walls, courtesy of The Royal Kingbee UW.

A flashback to September 2013 to these photos by Goggla, whose work includes serving as the EVG Senior First Avenue Rite Aid Correspondent...









As for Niko, the rentals are underway. Rents start at $2,800 a month and go up to nearly $6,000.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Space that houses Rite Aid on Avenue D hits market for $22.5 million

Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D

Permit pre-filed for new 12-floor building at 79-89 Avenue D

7th Street residents angered after developer cuts down the wrong tree

NIKO East Village debuts on Avenue D and 6th Street

The Adele joins The Robyn in pop star-friendly East Village corridor

Rentals underway at The Niko on Avenue D