Thrifty Ice Cream, a beloved West Coast brand founded in Los Angeles in 1940, is closing around 500 locations across the United States as part of its parent company Rite Aid’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. Known for its signature square scoops and nostalgic presence in Rite Aid pharmacies, Thrifty became a cult favorite over decades, winning awards and earning shoutouts from celebrities and loyal customers alike. The closures are a direct consequence of Rite Aid’s financial struggles, which have led to the company’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in less than a year. As Rite Aid shutters hundreds of its roughly 1,200 stores to reduce debt, Thrifty Ice Cream counters inside these locations will disappear as well.

The impact of these closures is especially poignant for longtime fans who grew up visiting Thrifty counters while waiting for prescriptions or shopping at their neighborhood Rite Aid. While the ice cream brand itself remains popular and is still available in grocery store freezers and independent scoop shops, its fate is now tied to the bankruptcy process. Rite Aid’s inability to sell Thrifty counters separately from its pharmacies means that all in-store locations will close, though some franchised or independent outlets may continue operating for now. The El Monte, California factory and the Thrifty brand are expected to be sold as assets, opening the door for potential buyers to revive or expand the ice cream’s retail presence.

Rite Aid’s CEO, Matt Schroeder, emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted pharmacy services and preserving as many jobs as possible during this transition. He also confirmed that customer prescriptions will be smoothly transferred to other pharmacies, and Rite Aid’s online and in-store pharmacy services will remain operational throughout the restructuring. Despite the uncertainty, there is “meaningful interest” from potential buyers who could keep Thrifty Ice Cream alive in some form, whether through grocery distribution or independent scoop counters.

The closure of Thrifty’s in-store counters marks the end of an era for many communities, especially in California and the broader West Coast, where the brand has been a fixture for over 80 years. The move reflects broader challenges faced by retail pharmacies in the post-pandemic landscape, with other chains like CVS and Walgreens also reducing their footprints. For now, fans can still find Thrifty Ice Cream in select grocery stores and hope that a new owner will continue its legacy beyond Rite Aid’s walls.