Rite Aid and Bartell store closures in Washington explained

This collection of stories covers recent store closures, bankruptcy updates, and plans for future redevelopment at Rite Aid and Bartell locations in Washington.

Several stories discuss the bankruptcy court filings and long lists of stores now scheduled to close, including in Pierce County.

Several reports mention the acquisition of prescription files by CVS Pharmacy, the closing of the Bartell Drugs Distribution Center in Des Moines, and the transition of some store locations to CVS ownership.

The Hilltop Rite Aid property in Tacoma has new owners who plan to redevelop the site as affordable housing.

Read the stories below.

The former Rite Aid building on Tacoma’s Hilltop currently serves as artist space for the Tacoma Urban Perfoming Arts Center. By Cameron Sheppard

NO. 1: NEW LIFE FOR HILLTOP RITE AID PROPERTY? NEW OWNERS HAVE BIG PLANS FOR THE TROUBLED SITE

The Tacoma property long has been associated with broken promises. Now a new promise is being made - community ownership. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cameron Sheppard

The Rite Aid at 1912 N. Pearl St. is one of multiple sites in the chain that remains in operation in Pierce County.

NO. 2: RITE AID AND BARTELL SHOPPERS TAKE NOTE: USE YOUR GIFT CARDS BEFORE TIME IS UP

Rewards-points program is already over as Rite Aid makes its way through bankruptcy. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

NO. 3: RITE AID CLOSURES ADDING UP. IS YOUR FAVORITE TACOMA-AREA STORE ON THE LIST?

Five more Washington state locations were added to the list of another round of store closures. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

The Bartell Drugs at 1850 S. Mildred St. in Tacoma is on the latest Rite Aid store closure list. Bartell is a subsidiary of Rite Aid.

NO. 4: RITE AID, BARTELL DRUGS CLOSURES EXPAND, INCLUDING IN TACOMA. HERE’S AN UPDATE

The closure is one of two Bartell Drugs sites in Washington state added in latest list. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Bartell Drugs at 3601 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, appeared on Rite Aid’s list of latest proposed store closings filed this month in bankruptcy court.

NO. 5: MORE WA RITE AID AND BARTELL SITES ADDED TO CHAINS’ STORE SHUTDOWN LIST

More than 20 Washington stores added on back-to-back lists filed last week in bankruptcy court; four of those are in Pierce County. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.