In a bittersweet development, the ice cream chain closing 500 stores is none other than Thrifty Ice Cream, a nostalgic favorite among American families for over eight decades. The closures are part of Rite Aid’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which have escalated throughout 2025, forcing the company to scale back its operations significantly.
The closures come amid Rite Aid’s financial unraveling, which began with its Chapter 11 filing in 2023 and has only intensified in 2025. The company, once a major pharmacy chain in the U.S., is now closing stores and offloading assets in an attempt to manage mounting debt, legal troubles, and billions in liabilities, much of it stemming from lawsuits related to opioid prescription practices.
For many Americans, Thrifty Ice Cream isn’t just a sweet treat—it’s a cultural memory. Known for its signature cylindrical scoops and budget-friendly pricing, the brand became a household name in the Western U.S., particularly in California. Children and adults alike would flock to Rite Aid not for medicine or toiletries, but for a scoop of Mint ‘n Chip, Chocolate Malted Krunch, or Butter Pecan served in a classic Thrifty cone.
“This isn’t just about ice cream,” said one longtime customer from Los Angeles. “It’s about childhood, family trips, and those little moments that made life special. Thrifty was part of growing up.”
Despite its popularity, the ice cream counters were no match for the corporate shake-up facing Rite Aid. The closures are part of broader efforts to stabilize the struggling chain, which has closed hundreds of stores, laid off workers, and is actively seeking buyers for non-core assets.
While some Rite Aid locations will remain open and may continue selling pre-packaged Thrifty Ice Cream, the in-store scoop counters—once a unique and nostalgic feature—are disappearing rapidly.
For now, fans are reminiscing and, in some cases, making a final pilgrimage to their local store for one last scoop.
Whether Thrifty Ice Cream can find a path forward outside of Rite Aid remains to be seen. But for many, the closing of 500 counters marks the end of a flavorful chapter in American retail history.