Bartell Drugs A Seattle legacy fades away

Six Rite Aid and two Bartell Drugs locations in Washington will close following a U. S. Bankruptcy Court's approval of recent shutdowns. Bartell Drugs, a cherished Seattle institution since 1890, has become a significant part of the community's identity. Known for offering regional products, the family-run business was acquired by Rite Aid in 2020.

Since then, Rite Aid has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice and is now in the process of selling or closing stores nationwide. The closures will affect Bartell locations in Snoqualmie and North Bend, alongside Rite Aid stores in Kingston, Yelm, Anacortes, Granite Falls, Omak, and Ephrata. Rite Aid plans to shut down all Bartell locations unless a buyer intervenes. Currently, the stores remain open, but shelves are not being restocked, and closure dates have yet to be announced. This development highlights the ongoing challenges facing retail pharmacies in a shifting economic landscape.