At least three Bartell Drugs stores in the Seattle metropolitan area have closed, according to the Seattle Times. Locations in Des Moines, White Center and Uptown neighborhood are all impacted by this wave of closures that began just over a year ago.
These three closures bring the total number of known closed stores out of 67 locations acquired by Rite Aid last year to eight. In addition to those mentioned above, downtown Seattle, Chinatown International District, South Lake Union Ballard and University District locations have also been shuttered.
Rite Aid purchased Bartell for $95 million but has since struggled with market conditions due to competition from CVS and Walgreens as well as supply issues. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Rite Aid is planning on filing for bankruptcy due its debts and lawsuits incurred during this time period..
