All Rite Aid stores in Michigan close

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – A recent document filed in U.S. bankruptcy court lists 12 Rite Aid stores in Michigan that are slated to close soon. However, signs outside a Lansing store indicate that all Michigan stores will soon close.

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

“I used to go to the one in South Cedar, but it closed,” said Rudi Parker, a lifelong Rite Aid customer. As she was at the checkout today, the cashier told her about the closures.

Accordingly MLiveRite Aid said in a statement that the company had made the “difficult but necessary business decision” to close all stores in Michigan and withdraw from the market.

“I’m sad about Rite Aid closing because that was our convenience store for about 15 years,” said Christine DeLeon of Lansing. She said she can’t drive, so having a pharmacy within walking distance is important to her. “I don’t know what they’re going to do with it, but I know it’s very sad.”

These closures affect not only customers but also employees.

“They have to get a job now … I just feel sorry for the people who have families and things like that,” Parker said.

Employees say stores will be gradually closed starting next month, with some Lansing stores beginning liquidation as early as next week.

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

There are currently 185 Rite Aid stores in Michigan.

Employees have mentioned that customers will receive letters in the coming weeks explaining the prescription process, with many of them automatically forwarded to Walgreens.