Latest news with #Thrifty
Eater
15 hours ago
- Business
- Eater
The Fate of Rite Aid's Thrifty Ice Cream Is Uncertain
Last week, 10 Los Angeles-area Rite-Aid pharmacies, many of which feature Southern California's iconic Thrifty Ice Cream counters, were announced to be closing in June as part of a nationwide reduction following Rite-Aid's second bankruptcy filing in as many years. More than 300 pharmacies are scheduled to close out of the company's more than 1,200, leaving many to wonder about the future of its Thrifty Ice Cream brand. Thrifty began as a West Coast pharmacy chain in 1929, sourcing ice cream from local vendors and selling scoops for 5 cents before producing its own in the 1940s. In 1976, the company opened a large factory in El Monte that still makes around 60,000 gallons of ice cream a day. Thrifty was acquired by Rite-Aid in 1996 but retained many of its ice cream counters. With Rite-Aid's recent bankruptcy announcement, media outlets are wondering what will become of the beloved ice cream brand. Rite-Aid hasn't commented on the future of the brand and its iconic cylindrical cones (whose scoopers are still for sale for around $30). Thrifty still sells retail containers of its ice cream at local grocery stores and continues to offer wholesale ice cream for food service, so it's likely the ice cream brand will endure. Rite-Aid is currently trying to find a buyer for its retail pharmacies, with many stores virtually bereft of items on their shelves. A halal Venice expansion Toddrickallen reports that the Valley's popular New York Chicken & Gyros is opening soon on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. Bringing a bit of Flushing, New York, to Los Angeles, the chain first opened in Canoga Park in 2017, where it sold halal cart-style food. The chain also operates in West Los Angeles and Pasadena. Sawtelle Japantown scene update Japanese soft serve chain Indigo Cow, which also operates in Echo Park, opened in Sawtelle Japantown this weekend, serving frozen treats with dairy sourced from Japan. In addition, Filipino restaurant Spoon & Pork, which operates only in Silver Lake after shuttering its Sawtelle Japantown location in February 2025, has been open about its recent struggles on social media. The beloved comfort food restaurant seems to need a boost right now. Long Beach's restaurant week Long Beach Food Scene Week kicks off on August 1 and will feature 80 restaurants across the southern Los Angeles County city. Learn more here about the 10-day event. Tariffs hit a South Bay restaurant Ruiji Sichuan Restaurant in Lomita posted a sign that's been trending on Reddit that details some of the cost increases that it blames on tariffs, including cooking oil, takeout containers, and chicken wings. It's a reminder that restaurants can't always pass increased costs to consumers without some pushback. Santa Monica's booze zone Like the Las Vegas Strip and parts of New Orleans, Santa Monica has opened a 'booze zone' along Third Street Promenade where imbibers can enjoy alcohol on the street. Food & Wine has a story with more details that could help revitalize the struggling retail strip. Sign up for our newsletter.
Los Angeles Times
2 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
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Rite Aid bankruptcy poses MAJOR threat to beloved ice cream chain
Thrifty Ice Cream is shuttering 500 locations following Rite Aid's second bankruptcy filing. The West Coast ice cream brand will be closing hundreds of its counters inside Rite Aid stores as a way for the pharmacy chain to move forward with restructuring. Part of the restructuring includes auctioning off intellectual property after closing over 20 California stores. Thrifty and its 49-year-old El Monte factory are part of that property. Founded in 1940, the brand launched as a drug store in downtown Los Angeles that allowed customers to sample ice cream. The ice cream gained a cult status by the 1970s and garnered 'significant celebrity shoutouts.' Rite Aid completed a $2.3 billion acquisition of the chain in 1996 and began operating over 500 Thrifty Ice Cream locations in its stores soon afterward, according to Fast Company. Thrifty will continue to operate standalone locations and sell prepackaged ice cream at retailers, but the Rite Aid closures could be a potential financial blow for the brand. Thrifty Ice Cream is famous for its unique flavors and its Chuck E. Cheese birthday cake collaboration. While it continues to be a popular brand in the Western US, it has found itself in danger before due to its connections with Rite Aid. Fans were concerned for the brand's future after Walgreens purchased thousands of Rite Aid stores in 2018. While the counters didn't close, Rite Aid had planned to sell Thrifty to Albertsons later that year, but the deal fell through. The brand was later in danger of massive closures after Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in 2023. The chain shuttered 431 stores within six months after the filing, and its closure count rose to 511 by last June. It now has only 1,240 stores in the US, and it's expected to close hundreds of stores this year. States that have taken massive hits from Rite Aid closures include Pennsylvania, California, New York, New Jersey, and Michigan. The Thrifty name will not go away, but it will be sold off at an auction on June 20. The deadline for buyers interested in bidding on the brand is June 13. Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, told that Thrifty's future is 'uncertain' due to Rite Aid's closures, but anything could happen. 'Thrifty could be sold off when Rite Aid's assets go to auction but given one of its big channels of distribution is through Rite Aid stores it is not clear how it would make up for that loss,' he said. 'This would not necessary prevent someone from bidding for it, but it would suppress the value they might be willing to pay.' Rite Aid recently sold pharmacy assets to several retailers, and select Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores will now be operated by CVS. 'A key priority for Rite Aid is to ensure that as many of our loyal customers as possible continue to receive the pharmacy services and care they require without interruption,' said Rite Aid CEO Matt Schroeder. 'These agreements ensure our pharmacy customers will experience a smooth transition while preserving jobs for some of our valued team members.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rite Aid Thrifty Ice Cream brand faces closure amid bankruptcy
( spring comes to an end and summer approaches in Northern California, over 500 Rite Aid's popular brand Thrifty Ice Cream is set to close down as part of its bankruptcy, which was filed again on May 5. Over 347 stores are located in California, and a couple of them are just in your neighborhood. Here's a list of some Rite Aid stores in Northern California. 2751 Del Paso Road, Sacramento 1260 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento 4774 West Lane, Stockton 720 Sutton Way, Grass Valley The popular ice cream started in 1940 at a small factory in West Hollywood, according to the Thrifty website. After a while, Angelenos headed to the flagship Thrifty Drug Store in downtown Los Angeles for a chance to sample the ice cream from the soda fountain. 'The high-quality, small-batch ice cream even snagged awards from the L.A. County Fair,' Thrifty officials said. In the 1970s, the ice cream had attained its status along the West Coast, with many celebrities giving it a shoutout. In 1967, the company moved to a larger factory in El Monte, and it stands today for people to come in and enjoy a scoop of ice cream. Thrifty has been known for its signature scoop, which is cylindrical, and on top of many flavors, they have available for people to purchase. No information has been released on when customers can expect these closures nationally and locally. Matt Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer of Rite Aid, said, 'For more than 60 years, Rite Aid has been a proud provider of pharmacy services and products to our loyal customers. While we have continued to face financial challenges, intensified by the rapidly evolving retail and healthcare landscapes in which we operate, we are encouraged by meaningful interest from a number of potential national and regional strategic acquirors. As we move forward, our key priorities are ensuring uninterrupted pharmacy services for our customers and preserving jobs for as many associates as possible.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen.
Economic Times
5 days ago
- 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.
