-Editorial
Rite Aid has officially announced the closure of all its remaining stores nationwide, including its locations in Brawley, El Centro, and Calexico. The decision, part of the company’s ongoing bankruptcy restructuring, marks not just the end of a major retail pharmacy chain, but the close of a chapter deeply entwined with the lives and memories of Imperial Valley residents.
Rite Aid has announced the closure of its El Centro location, with operations set to cease by June 30, 2025. After that date, customers’ prescriptions will be transferred to CVS Pharmacy at 1745 S. Imperial Ave. in El Centro.
Rite Aid announced on a flyer outside of the store that they will stop issuing points for Rite Aid Rewards members on May 6, and all accumulated points and BonusCash will expire under existing terms. Additionally, returns, exchanges, and the use of Rite Aid gift cards will no longer be accepted starting June 5.
The loss is especially saddening in Calexico, where the Rite Aid location has long been more than just a place to pick up prescriptions. For decades, before it was known as Rite Aid, the store operated under the Thrifty.
Generations of families fondly remember walking into the old Thrifty on 3rd Street in Downtown Calexico, where they could grab everyday necessities and enjoy a scoop of Thrifty’s iconic ice cream for just a few cents. The experience was a beloved tradition, especially during the warm summer months.
The store was a staple of the Downtown Calexico community on Third Street, playing a central role in the local economy and culture. It stood proudly as part of the city’s historic retail core until the devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2010 severely damaged the building it occupied.
“It’s very sad this store is closing, Calexico doesn’t have many good stores and now we are losing this one,” said Ivonne Luna, a Calexico resident asked by Imperial Valley Insight outside the store on May 31st.
Other residents like Ceci Rodriguez from El Centro lamented the closure of the store as it will add to the valley’s high unemployment.
“I’ve been coming to this store for my medicines. It’s a huge loss, especially for the employees that will lose their jobs,” Rodriguez said.
Rite Aid was a reliable and accessible resource for prescriptions, basic groceries, and quick purchases, continuing its role as a daily part of life for many residents. These served as community anchors, particularly important in rural regions where pharmacy options are limited.
Rite Aid’s bankruptcy, its second in just two years, comes amid increased financial pressure from legal liabilities related to the opioid crisis, shrinking profits, and fierce competition from larger chains and online retailers. As part of its restructuring, the company is liquidating its remaining assets and transferring prescriptions to competitors like Walgreens, CVS, and Albertsons.
