Rite Aid to close Portland Avenue store
Rite Aid confirmed Thursday afternoon it will permanently close its store at 535 Portland Ave., near Clifford Avenue, on May 10, as first reported by WROC-TV (Channel 8).
In a statement, the company said the decision to close any store “is one we take very seriously and is based on a variety of factors, including business strategy, lease and rent considerations, local business conditions and viability, and store performance.”
It vowed to “work seamlessly” with customers to transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies, including non-Rite Aid pharmacies, to prevent service disruptions.
There are two other Rite Aid stores within about a mile and a half of the Portland Avenue location: at 1000 N. Clinton Ave. and 1792 N. Goodman St.
“We also strive to transfer associates to other Rite Aid locations where possible,” the company said but did indicate how many workers would be affected.
Earlier Thursday, Rite Aid confirmed to the Buffalo News plans to shutter two stores in Buffalo and one in Niagara Falls this month.
Rite Aid's statement did not describe the Portland Avenue store’s performance issues, but in recent years the company as a whole has struggled with declining revenue and as far back as 2021 announced plans to close more than 60 locations to “drive improve profitability.”
In January, its CEO, Heyward Donigan, stepped down after less than four years.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rite Aid to close Portland Ave. store in Rochester NY
