13-05-2025
With many Rite Aid stores closing, is Thrifty Ice Cream in danger?
With many Rite Aid stores closing, a big question for nostalgic ice cream lovers is: What happens to all that beloved Thrifty Ice Cream?
Hat tip to the amazing Evan Lovett of LA in a Minute, who recently highlighted Los Angeles' love affair with the iconic cylindrical scoops and the history behind them.
Thrifty launched in 1940 in West Hollywood. By the 1970s, the company says, Thrifty Ice Cream had 'attained cult status along the West Coast, with significant celebrity shoutouts.'
And it's still a hot topic. Start typing 'Thrifty Ice Cream' into Google, and the top searches include:
Why is Thrifty Ice Cream so good?
Why is Thrifty Ice Cream so cheap?
Does Thrifty Ice Cream still exist?
It's that last question that has people concerned.
What customers can expect as Rite Aid closes or sells all its drugstores
Following Evan's lead, we reached out to both Thrifty and Rite Aid. We've been tracking pharmacy closures for months.
In February, Rite Aid told KTLA:
'Rite Aid regularly assesses its retail footprint to ensure we are operating efficiently while meeting the needs of our customers, communities, associates and overall business.'
But what about the ice cream? We asked again this week—specifically about Thrifty Ice Cream—and received a statement from Rite Aid that didn't mention Thrifty at all. The company told KTLA:
'After considering all alternatives, the only viable path forward for Rite Aid is to once again commence Chapter 11 proceedings. We will use this process to pursue a sale of our prescriptions, pharmacy and front-end inventory, and other assets…'
Still no word on the ice cream. So we went directly to Thrifty. Our questions included:
How many Thrifty Ice Cream counters will remain, and where?
What other retail locations still carry Thrifty?
Are there any plans for expansion?
So far, no answers—just an ice cream mystery. Here's what we do know:
Yes, the factory in El Monte is still producing the beloved ice cream. And yes, you can still find tubs at local supermarkets, including Vons, Albertsons, Pavilions and some Bristol Farms locations. Those grocery stores may be your best bet moving forward, as neither company is offering much clarity.
And yes—Thrifty says you can open your own ice cream shop and sell Thrifty Ice Cream, complete with the iconic cylindrical scoop.
Fun fact: Thrifty says it taste-tests hundreds of new flavors each year and has even created exclusive custom flavors like Sriracha Swirl and Bacon & Cheddar.
The big question now: Where will you be able to get them? It likely won't be Rite Aid.
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