MJP –
Rite Aid is now closing all stores in one Ohio city by the end of the month, leaving the state with only four locations standing.
A major pharmacy chain, Rite Aid, has announced the closure of all its stores in Cleveland, Ohio, by the end of this month.
By year’s end, only four Rite Aid locations will remain in the entire state, according to PBS affiliate WVIZ.
The chain has been struggling financially since last October, and this latest round of closures reflects those ongoing challenges.
Retail reports indicate that many stores are no longer profitable, prompting the decision to shut down by the end of September.
Residents of Cleveland are voicing concerns about the impact of these closures, fearing a “pharmacy desert” that will limit their access to prescriptions and health products.
Resident Angie Schmitt expressed frustration, noting she relies on walking to her nearby Rite Aid, which is closing.
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Without a car, she will now need her husband to drive her to a pharmacy in the suburbs.
Other residents share similar worries about losing convenient access to pharmacy services.
Jeff Williams highlighted that the closure would force him to walk several miles to find another store, while Justin Roman, a former Rite Aid employee, noted that disabled individuals in the area depend heavily on the location.
Many residents were caught off guard by the sudden announcements of the closures.
Diana Gonzalez mentioned she received no prior notice, and Anthony Amparo says he was unaware that his local store was closing.
Rite Aid has been facing significant challenges, including a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in October 2023 and ongoing lawsuits related to the opioid crisis.
Recently, a U.S. judge approved a restructuring plan aimed at reducing the company’s debt by $2 billion and preserving thousands of jobs.
