All Rite Aid stores closing across Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – A recent document filed in U.S. bankruptcy court lists 12 Rite Aid stores set to close soon throughout Michigan. However, signs outside a Lansing store suggest all Michigan locations will soon shut their doors.

The company, headquartered in Pennsylvania, has already closed several locations due to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including 19 in Michigan last year.

“I used to go to the one on South Cedar but then that one ended up closing,” said Rudi Parker, a lifelong Rite Aid customer. As she was checking out today, the cashier told her about the closures. 

According to MLive, Rite Aid sent a statement saying it made the “difficult but necessary business decision” to close all stores in Michigan, where it will exit the market.

“I am sad about Rite Aid closing because this has been our general store for about 15 years,” said Christine DeLeon, a Lansing local. She said that she cannot drive so having a pharmacy within walking distance is important to her. “I don’t know what they’re going to make of it but I do know that it is very sad.”

Not only will these closures affect shoppers, but employees as well.

“They’re going to have to find jobs now… I just kind of feel bad for people who have families and things like that,” said Parker.

Employees say that the stores will close in phases starting next month, with some stores in Lansing beginning to liquidate by next week.

Calls and emails to Rite Aid corporate representatives were not returned, and workers were not authorized to discuss the company’s plans

There are currently 185 Rite Aid stores in Michigan.

Workers have mentioned that customers will receive letters outlining the procedure for prescriptions in the coming weeks with many being automatically forwarded to Walgreens.