BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Rite Aid will close its location on Stefko Boulevard in Bethlehem as part of a new wave of store shutdowns across Pennsylvania, the company confirmed this week.
A Rite Aid spokesperson confirmed that pharmacy services will be discontinued on July 21, with the retail store closing on August 24.
The Bethlehem store is one of 38 statewide set to close amid Rite Aid’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The embattled pharmacy chain, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023 and again earlier this year, continues to downsize as it faces mounting financial challenges and legal liabilities tied to the opioid crisis.
Customers are encouraged to transfer their prescriptions to nearby pharmacies. In previous closures, Rite Aid has partnered with competitors including CVS, Walgreens, Giant Eagle, and Kroger to handle prescription transfers.
The closure is expected to impact not only regular customers but also store employees and residents who rely on the location for vaccinations, over-the-counter medications, and other health services.
Rite Aid will also be closing locations in Allentown, Emmaus, and Hellertown. The company has closed hundreds of stores nationwide, with more expected to shutter in the coming months as part of the company’s restructuring plan.
Rite Aid’s financial struggles have intensified over the past two years, with the company’s debt rising and revenue declining amid stiff competition and shifting consumer behavior. The company also faces lawsuits related to its alleged role in overprescribing opioids.
Customers can visit Rite Aid’s website for information on how to transfer prescriptions and find alternate pharmacy locations.
