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ASHLAND — The lone Rite Aid Pharmacy in Ashland has closed, and existing prescriptions were transferred to a pharmacy on Sugarbush Drive.
The last day of pharmacy business, according to the chain’s website, was Tuesday, July 29. Existing prescriptions were transferred to Unity Pharmacy at 1055 Sugarbush Drive.
Store employees said the Rite Aid’s liquidation sale will wrap up by Aug. 24.
Where is Unity Pharmacy?
That pharmacy is inside Buehler’s grocery store. Click here for more information on transferring your prescription.
Ashland’s store is one of more than 1,000 locations listed for closure since Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 protection in early May. A site in Wooster is also closing.
Rite Aid CEO Matt Schroeder has said the decision to file for bankruptcy stems from “financial challenges,” made worse by “rapidly evolving retail and healthcare landscapes.”
Many of Rite Aid’s locations and prescriptions files have already sold to competitors such as CVS. The pharmacy secured court approval to sell its Thrifty Ice Cream brand to a Monster Beverage-related company for $19.2 million.
More from Rite Aid CEO
“For more than 60 years, Rite Aid has been a proud provider of pharmacy services and products to our loyal customers,” Schroeder said.
“While we have continued to face financial challenges, intensified by the rapidly evolving retail and healthcare landscapes in which we operate, we are encouraged by meaningful interest from a number of potential national and regional strategic acquirors.
“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’s nationwide closures come as others, like CVS, scale down operations.
CVS announced earlier this year it would close 271 stores this year as part of its “enterprise-wide restructuring plan intended to streamline and simplify the organization.”
The CVS store in Ashland has not been affected by the company’s closures.