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Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Iconic Thrifty ice cream counters fade into memory with Rite Aid store closures
Like many who grew up in Southern California, Thrifty ice cream was a staple throughout my youth. Sure, McDonald's offered $1 smooth and airy soft serve cones (the machines seemed to work back then!) and Baskin-Robbins was lauded for its 31 flavors. However, Thrifty was the perfect middleman for my working-class family, offering nearly the latter's variety at close to the former's pricing. It's the place I fell in love with Rocky Road, never imagining you could fit so many distinct flavors and textures — chocolate, nuts and marshmallows — into a single sugar cone scoop. The days of enjoying a few scoops at Thrifty's counters, purchased by Rite Aid in 1996, throughout SoCal appear to be ending. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced a slew of store closures, including more than 20 locations in California. Those not closed will probably be sold off by Rite Aid. My colleague, food columnist Jenn Harris, strolled into the El Segundo Rite Aid to investigate what's next for the iconic cold treat. Brothers Harry and Robert Borun and their brother-in-law Norman Levin opened the first Thrifty drugstore in downtown Los Angeles in 1929. At first, they sold ice cream from various suppliers. However, as demand for the product grew, the brothers started producing the ice cream themselves. They opened the first Thrifty ice cream production plant in Hollywood in 1940. The plant relocated to a 55,000-square-foot facility in El Monte in 1976. Thrifty ice cream, like all of Rite Aid's assets, will probably be sold. It nearly happened in 2018, when Albertsons Cos. was set to acquire Rite Aid, and with it, Thrifty ice cream and the El Monte plant. But the deal never happened. Rite Aid did not provide any additional info when Harris reached out to them. There's also the possibility of finding the ice cream at a local restaurant. Ball Park Pizza in San Clemente has been serving Thrifty ice cream since it opened in 2014. And now that Thrifty sells its signature cylindrical ice cream scooper (around $30), you could buy a pint at one of the dozens of retailers who carry the ice cream in the freezer aisle, and scoop your own ice cream at home. Harris staged a taste test. After visiting two Rite Aid locations, she found a store that carried the Chocolate Malted Krunch flavor in both the scoop shop and the freezer section. She purchased a scoop at the counter, then bought a box of Joy cake cones near the register and a 48-ounce carton of the same ice cream and headed to the parking lot. She then used her Thrifty cylindrical scoop to craft her perfect scoop of ice cream and made her own cone. Both were eaten in quick succession. I'll let Harris explain the rest: 'The pre-packaged stuff was airier, like ice cream foam that melted slower on the tongue. The malt balls felt sluggish, their crunch muted by the time spent in the freezer. The flecks of dark chocolate less abundant. 'The cone from the scoop counter tasted both richer and creamier with a thicker consistency. There were crunchier malt balls in each bite. Even outside in the parking lot, beyond the comforts of the As Seen on TV aisle, it was noticeably better.' While Thrifty may continue to produce ice cream in tubs, the counter scoop — apparently the better option — is down to its last licks at Rite Aids. It be worth one last visit soon. For Harris' full breakdown, check out her article. California policies and proposals Fires and recovery Crime, courts and policing Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage. Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew J. Campa, reporterKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Economic Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
85-year-old iconic ice cream chain Thrifty to close 500 stores as it goes bankrupt, fans mourn its cult status
Thrifty Ice Cream, the iconic 85-year-old brand loved by generations, is closing 500 in-store counters as Rite Aid files for bankruptcy. This emotional shift impacts thousands of fans who grew up with the brand's hand-scooped cones inside local Rite Aid stores. Though production continues in California, the walk-up counter experience is vanishing. Thrifty Ice Cream is closing 500 Rite Aid counters amid bankruptcy, ending a nostalgic era for many. Here's why it's happening, what fans are saying, and where you can still enjoy the iconic flavors despite the closures. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is Thrifty Ice Cream closing 500 stores? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Can you still buy Thrifty Ice Cream anywhere? 85-year-old iconic ice cream chain Thrifty to close 500 stores as it goes bankrupt, fans mourn its cult status Why do people care so much about Thrifty Ice Cream? What next for Rite Aid and Thrifty? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The story of Thrifty Ice Cream, an 85-year-old brand cherished across generations, has taken a heartbreaking turn. As part of Rite Aid's ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, 500 Thrifty Ice Cream counters inside Rite Aid stores across the U.S. are shutting down, according to decision comes as Rite Aid, the parent company that owns Thrifty Ice Cream, works to wind down its operations in a major restructuring move. These closures mark a major shift for many fans who grew up visiting their local Rite Aid stores just for a scoop of Thrifty's famously affordable and nostalgic ice closure of 500 Thrifty Ice Cream counters is directly tied to Rite Aid's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which began in 2023 and escalated into early 2025. Rite Aid is shutting down locations to manage debt, legal liabilities, and losses stemming from lawsuits related to opioid the ice cream brand itself is not bankrupt, the counters operating inside Rite Aid stores are now part of the asset wind-down plan. These counters have long been a familiar sight, especially in states like California, where Thrifty ice cream holds a near-cult move doesn't mean the end of Thrifty altogether—but the in-store counters, where fans once lined up for hand-scooped cones at budget-friendly prices, are vanishing Thrifty Ice Cream is still being produced at its factory in El Monte, California. That facility continues to churn out the signature flavors customers love—like Chocolate Malted Krunch and Butter Pecan—which are sold in pre-packaged cartons at select grocery stores and standalone shops across the West the hand-scooped counter experience—those chrome dipping cabinets, the flat-headed scoops, the $1.99 cones—is what many consider the true spirit of Thrifty. And that's what's going away with these 500 while you can still enjoy the ice cream itself, the classic Rite Aid in-store experience is many Americans, especially on the West Coast, Thrifty Ice Cream isn't just dessert—it's nostalgia in a brand began in 1940, originally part of Thrifty Drug Stores, which was later bought by Rite Aid in 1996. Over the decades, generations of families have made Thrifty Ice Cream part of their daily errands or weekend routines. The iconic cylinder-shaped scoops, low prices, and bold flavors made it a go-to treat for kids and adults media has been filled with reactions from fans mourning the closures. Some shared memories of buying cones after school, while others recalled first dates or family outings that began with a trip to the Thrifty Aid continues to restructure under Chapter 11, and more store closures could follow. As of early 2025, Rite Aid has already closed over 500 stores nationwide, and more are expected as the company tries to stay Thrifty Ice Cream, the production and distribution side still survives—but without its retail counters, the brand loses a big part of what made it no official word yet on whether Thrifty plans to reopen new standalone locations or expand its presence outside of Rite Aid. For now, fans will have to settle for packaged ice cream—and the memories of those chrome counters and scoops that once defined a simple American joy.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
85-year-old iconic ice cream chain Thrifty to close 500 stores as it goes bankrupt, fans mourn its cult status
Thrifty Ice Cream, a beloved American brand for 85 years, is closing 500 store counters as Rite Aid files for bankruptcy: The story of Thrifty Ice Cream, an 85-year-old brand cherished across generations, has taken a heartbreaking turn. As part of Rite Aid's ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, 500 Thrifty Ice Cream counters inside Rite Aid stores across the U.S. are shutting down, according to TheStreet. This decision comes as Rite Aid, the parent company that owns Thrifty Ice Cream, works to wind down its operations in a major restructuring move. These closures mark a major shift for many fans who grew up visiting their local Rite Aid stores just for a scoop of Thrifty's famously affordable and nostalgic ice cream. Why is Thrifty Ice Cream closing 500 stores? The closure of 500 Thrifty Ice Cream counters is directly tied to Rite Aid's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which began in 2023 and escalated into early 2025. Rite Aid is shutting down locations to manage debt, legal liabilities, and losses stemming from lawsuits related to opioid prescriptions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Malaysia: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo While the ice cream brand itself is not bankrupt, the counters operating inside Rite Aid stores are now part of the asset wind-down plan. These counters have long been a familiar sight, especially in states like California, where Thrifty ice cream holds a near-cult following. Live Events This move doesn't mean the end of Thrifty altogether—but the in-store counters, where fans once lined up for hand-scooped cones at budget-friendly prices, are vanishing fast. Can you still buy Thrifty Ice Cream anywhere? Yes, Thrifty Ice Cream is still being produced at its factory in El Monte, California. That facility continues to churn out the signature flavors customers love—like Chocolate Malted Krunch and Butter Pecan—which are sold in pre-packaged cartons at select grocery stores and standalone shops across the West Coast. 85-year-old iconic ice cream chain Thrifty to close 500 stores as it goes bankrupt, fans mourn its cult status However, the hand-scooped counter experience—those chrome dipping cabinets, the flat-headed scoops, the $1.99 cones—is what many consider the true spirit of Thrifty. And that's what's going away with these 500 closures. So, while you can still enjoy the ice cream itself, the classic Rite Aid in-store experience is disappearing. Why do people care so much about Thrifty Ice Cream? For many Americans, especially on the West Coast, Thrifty Ice Cream isn't just dessert—it's nostalgia in a cone. The brand began in 1940, originally part of Thrifty Drug Stores, which was later bought by Rite Aid in 1996. Over the decades, generations of families have made Thrifty Ice Cream part of their daily errands or weekend routines. The iconic cylinder-shaped scoops, low prices, and bold flavors made it a go-to treat for kids and adults alike. Social media has been filled with reactions from fans mourning the closures. Some shared memories of buying cones after school, while others recalled first dates or family outings that began with a trip to the Thrifty counter. What next for Rite Aid and Thrifty? Rite Aid continues to restructure under Chapter 11, and more store closures could follow. As of early 2025, Rite Aid has already closed over 500 stores nationwide, and more are expected as the company tries to stay afloat. For Thrifty Ice Cream, the production and distribution side still survives—but without its retail counters, the brand loses a big part of what made it special. There's no official word yet on whether Thrifty plans to reopen new standalone locations or expand its presence outside of Rite Aid. For now, fans will have to settle for packaged ice cream—and the memories of those chrome counters and scoops that once defined a simple American joy.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is this the end of Thrifty ice cream as we know it?
It was like a scene from a movie about an asteroid hurtling through the universe on a collision course with Earth. Many of the shelves at the Rite Aid in El Segundo were bare. Row after row empty. The air was thick with an eerie silence as I made my way to the ice cream counter near the registers. A half-empty, three-gallon tub of strawberry ice cream sat next to another of butter pecan. There were a few dredges of blueberry yogurt cheesecake and maybe a scoop and a half of raspberry cheesecake left in the cartons. The four flavors were clustered together in the middle of the case, like the lone survivors of a panic-fueled ice cream rush on the store. Ice crystals clouded the inside of the glass, collecting in the corners like a long-abandoned artifact left at the Earth's end. Read more: Where to get the best ice cream in L.A.: From classic parlors, to gelaterias and vegan creameries I noticed a label for the Chocolate Malted Krunch flavor, but no tub behind it. 'We're out,' the woman behind the counter said with a shrug of her shoulders. 'Whatever you see is what we have. We're not restocking anything. We're closing in June.' It's the same story at dozens of Rite Aid drugstores across the country. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced a slew of store closures, including more than 20 locations in California. For a Southern California native who grew up visiting the Thrifty ice cream counters at Rite Aid stores all over Los Angeles, the news was a blow to the heart. While some might see Rite Aid (which acquired Thrifty Drug Stores in 1996) as a place to pick up a prescription or purchase cold medicine, for me, the drugstore has only ever meant ice cream. The scoop counter inside the Rite Aid in the Hastings Ranch neighborhood of Pasadena was where the Harris family purchased all of our ice cream. Sure, there was a Baskin-Robbins in the shopping center across the street, but I only ever had eyes for Thrifty. Brothers Harry and Robert Borun and their brother-in-law Norman Levin opened the first Thrifty drugstore in downtown Los Angeles in 1929. They sold ice cream from various suppliers, but as demand for the product grew, the brothers decided to start producing the ice cream themselves. They opened the first Thrifty ice cream production plant in Hollywood in 1940. The plant relocated to a 55,000-square-foot facility in El Monte in 1976. At the time, a scoop of Thrifty ice cream cost around a nickel. What do the store closures mean for the future of Thrifty ice cream? It's a question Evan Lovett, host of the podcast In A Minute, recently posed in one of his social videos. Known for his fun and informative slices of L.A. history, you can view Lovett's video online. It sent me down a rabbit hole to find the answer. I reached out to Thrifty, who directed me to the Rite Aid corporation, who stonewalled me like they were protecting government secrets. What I could deduce is that Thrifty ice cream, like all of Rite Aid's assets, will likely be sold. It nearly happened in 2018, when Albertsons Cos. was set to acquire Rite Aid, and with it, Thrifty ice cream and the El Monte plant. But the deal never happened. There's also the possibility of finding the ice cream at a local restaurant. Ball Park Pizza in San Clemente has been serving Thrifty ice cream since it opened in 2014. And now that Thrifty sells its signature cylindrical ice cream scooper, you could buy a pint at one of the dozens of retailers who carry the ice cream in the freezer aisle, and scoop your own ice cream at home. But will it taste the same? I have always believed that the Thrifty ice cream cone served from the ice cream counter tastes better than the stuff you can buy in the freezer aisle. I can't say that I've come to this conclusion by tasting every one of Thrifty's ice cream flavors, but it does apply to the best flavor, Chocolate Malted Krunch. The first thing to consider is atmosphere. It is a scientific fact that your ice cream cone will taste at least 38% better if it's eaten while perusing the As Seen on TV aisle of your local Rite Aid. Five different devices that trim or remove hair from anywhere; a pot that's nonstick and scratch-resistant or your money back; copper-infused socks that energize your feet. Endless fun while you lick and slurp your way to the bottom of your cone. I decided to stage a taste test to challenge my own theory. After visiting two Rite Aid locations, I was able to find a store that carried the Chocolate Malted Krunch flavor in both the scoop shop and the freezer section. I purchased a scoop at the counter (around $30), then bought a box of Joy cake cones near the register and a 48-ounce carton of the same ice cream and headed to the parking lot. I used my Thrifty cylindrical scoop (of course I have one) to get the perfect scoop of ice cream and made my own cone. Then I proceeded to eat both in quick succession for an accurate comparison. The pre-packaged stuff was airier, like ice cream foam that melted slower on the tongue. The malt balls felt sluggish, their crunch muted by the time spent in the freezer. The flecks of dark chocolate less abundant. The cone from the scoop counter tasted both richer and creamier with a thicker consistency. There were crunchier malt balls in each bite. Even outside in the parking lot, beyond the comforts of the As Seen on TV aisle, it was noticeably better. It could be due to the ice cream containers themselves, the size affecting the amount and distribution of mix-ins. A longer time in the freezer could also affect the taste and texture. The Rite Aid counters scoop from 3-gallon cartons, while in the freezer aisle, consumers can choose from pints or 48-ounce containers. Signs attached to the freezer doors at both the Rite Aid locations I visited advertised the availability of the larger 3-gallon cartons with advance notice and a price tag of $39.99. With no word from Rite Aid, consumers will have to wait, and hope for the existence of Thrifty ice cream scoop counters elsewhere in the future. Until then, you can find me in the As Seen on TV aisle of a remaining Rite Aid, with a scoop of Chocolate Malted Krunch in one hand and a Pillow Pad in the other. Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Is this the end of Thrifty ice cream as we know it?
It was like a scene from a movie about an asteroid hurtling through the universe on a collision course with Earth. Many of the shelves at the Rite Aid in El Segundo were bare. Row after row empty. The air was thick with an eerie silence as I made my way to the ice cream counter near the registers. A half-empty, three-gallon tub of strawberry ice cream sat next to another of butter pecan. There were a few dredges of blueberry yogurt cheesecake and maybe a scoop and a half of raspberry cheesecake left in the cartons. The four flavors were clustered together in the middle of the case, like the lone survivors of a panic-fueled ice cream rush on the store. Ice crystals clouded the inside of the glass, collecting in the corners like a long-abandoned artifact left at the Earth's end. I noticed a label for the Chocolate Malted Krunch flavor, but no tub behind it. 'We're out,' the woman behind the counter said with a shrug of her shoulders. 'Whatever you see is what we have. We're not restocking anything. We're closing in June.' It's the same story at dozens of Rite Aid drugstores across the country. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced a slew of store closures, including more than 20 locations in California. For a Southern California native who grew up visiting the Thrifty ice cream counters at Rite Aid stores all over Los Angeles, the news was a blow to the heart. While some might see Rite Aid (which acquired Thrifty Drug Stores in 1996) as a place to pick up a prescription or purchase cold medicine, for me, the drugstore has only ever meant ice cream. The scoop counter inside the Rite Aid in the Hastings Ranch neighborhood of Pasadena was where the Harris family purchased all of our ice cream. Sure, there was a Baskin-Robbins in the shopping center across the street, but I only ever had eyes for Thrifty. Brothers Harry and Robert Borun and their brother-in-law Norman Levin opened the first Thrifty drugstore in downtown Los Angeles in 1929. They sold ice cream from various suppliers, but as demand for the product grew, the brothers decided to start producing the ice cream themselves. They opened the first Thrifty ice cream production plant in Hollywood in 1940. The plant relocated to a 55,000-square-foot facility in El Monte in 1976. At the time, a scoop of Thrifty ice cream cost around a nickel. What do the store closures mean for the future of Thrifty ice cream? It's a question Evan Lovett, host of the podcast In A Minute, recently posed in one of his social videos. Known for his fun and informative slices of L.A. history, you can view Lovett's video online. It sent me down a rabbit hole to find the answer. I reached out to Thrifty, who directed me to the Rite Aid corporation, who stonewalled me like they were protecting government secrets. What I could deduce is that Thrifty ice cream, like all of Rite Aid's assets, will likely be sold. It nearly happened in 2018, when Albertsons Cos. was set to acquire Rite Aid, and with it, Thrifty ice cream and the El Monte plant. But the deal never happened. There's also the possibility of finding the ice cream at a local restaurant. Ball Park Pizza in San Clemente has been serving Thrifty ice cream since it opened in 2014. And now that Thrifty sells its signature cylindrical ice cream scooper, you could buy a pint at one of the dozens of retailers who carry the ice cream in the freezer aisle, and scoop your own ice cream at home. But will it taste the same? I have always believed that the Thrifty ice cream cone served from the ice cream counter tastes better than the stuff you can buy in the freezer aisle. I can't say that I've come to this conclusion by tasting every one of Thrifty's ice cream flavors, but it does apply to the best flavor, Chocolate Malted Krunch. The first thing to consider is atmosphere. It is a scientific fact that your ice cream cone will taste at least 38% better if it's eaten while perusing the As Seen on TV aisle of your local Rite Aid. Five different devices that trim or remove hair from anywhere; a pot that's nonstick and scratch-resistant or your money back; copper-infused socks that energize your feet. Endless fun while you lick and slurp your way to the bottom of your cone. I decided to stage a taste test to challenge my own theory. After visiting two Rite Aid locations, I was able to find a store that carried the Chocolate Malted Krunch flavor in both the scoop shop and the freezer section. I purchased a scoop at the counter (around $30), then bought a box of Joy cake cones near the register and a 48-ounce carton of the same ice cream and headed to the parking lot. I used my Thrifty cylindrical scoop (of course I have one) to get the perfect scoop of ice cream and made my own cone. Then I proceeded to eat both in quick succession for an accurate comparison. The pre-packaged stuff was airier, like ice cream foam that melted slower on the tongue. The malt balls felt sluggish, their crunch muted by the time spent in the freezer. The flecks of dark chocolate less abundant. The cone from the scoop counter tasted both richer and creamier with a thicker consistency. There were crunchier malt balls in each bite. Even outside in the parking lot, beyond the comforts of the As Seen on TV aisle, it was noticeably better. It could be due to the ice cream containers themselves, the size affecting the amount and distribution of mix-ins. A longer time in the freezer could also affect the taste and texture. The Rite Aid counters scoop from 3-gallon cartons, while in the freezer aisle, consumers can choose from pints or 48-ounce containers. Signs attached to the freezer doors at both the Rite Aid locations I visited advertised the availability of the larger 3-gallon cartons with advance notice and a price tag of $39.99. With no word from Rite Aid, consumers will have to wait, and hope for the existence of Thrifty ice cream scoop counters elsewhere in the future. Until then, you can find me in the As Seen on TV aisle of a remaining Rite Aid, with a scoop of Chocolate Malted Krunch in one hand and a Pillow Pad in the other.
