Rite Aid’s bankruptcy led to the closure of what had become an Orinda institution.
Cheap ice-cream cones, quick vaccinations and last minute birthday gifts – Rite Aid was central to Orinda for decades. But on Aug. 24, the long-time Orinda Rite Aid closed permanently, following its pharmacy closure on July 30.
It was just one of over a thousand stores across the nation to close this year amid Rite Aid’s move to sell or shut down all of its remaining stores following its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Once with more than 5,000 stores, Rite Aid now has only 60 left nationwide, and zero in Lamorinda. And Rite Aid’s not alone – pharmacies across the nation have struggled since the 2019 opioid-related lawsuit settlements, including Lafayette’s Walgreens, which closed last year.
With just a month to clear out, Rite Aid marked everything 30-50% off, from products on shelves to the store’s lighting, display cases and checkout counters.
“Everything must go signs” covered the store. Prescription records were transferred to CVS at 50 Moraga Way, on the opposite side of downtown Orinda.
The store was built in 1958, and operated for years as a Thrifty PayLess before rebranding as Rite Aid. It was sold in 2017, along with the U.S. Post Office, for $12.9 million to an unknown private owner.
The store was a popular location for prescription refills, snacks, Thrifty ice cream and basic goods.
“My dad used to take me to get mint chocolate chip ice cream there,” lifelong resident Chelsea Dao said. “I’ll miss it … it feels so ingrained in Orinda.”
While it’s the end of an era for the longtime store, the possibilities for the space – with more than 60 parking spots and approximately 14,900 square feet – are endless, and residents can’t wait to see what comes next.
Rory Gaarder-Wang can be reached at
gymnastrorygaarderwang@gmail.com.
