Rite Aid, newsstand leaving the Boulevard
Larchmont Boulevard is losing two prominent institutions. Rite Aid is closing Wed., July 9, and the newsstand Above the Fold Larchmont will stop selling merchandise Sun., July 13.
Brian Jang, owner of the newsstand since 2005, never thought Rite Aid would go out of business. Jang purchased the business very serendipitously. He said, “It was all timing. I was looking to buy a business, it was on the market and it just happened.” His business location is contingent upon Rite Aid’s lease at 226 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Many of Jang’s customers have suggested moving to another part of the Boulevard or moving indoors. But, he said, “There are lots of walk-by customers here. If I go indoors it’ll be like I’m hiding.” Not to mention, business has been difficult for years. He works seven days a week, from open to close. He has a helper that comes in on weekends for a few hours.
A FIXTURE ON Larchmont, Brian Jang will clear his shelves by the end of July.
Michael Soriano of Larchmont Village said, “It’s horrible that the newsstand is leaving; just another piece of Larchmont taken away.” There is a petition on change.org (tinyurl.com/y79n762f) to keep the newsstand. At press time, over 2,400 people had already signed it.
Rite Aid is closing all of its stores nationwide. According to longtime employees at the Larchmont store, they’ve closed over 4,500 locations with about 400 left to shutter. Prescriptions from this location will be moved to the CVS at 861 N. Vine St. and will be available for pick up starting Thurs., July 10.
And what about the store’s popular Thrifty ice cream? Hand-scooped ice cream will no longer be available—anywhere. Half-gallon containers can be purchased at local supermarkets like Ralphs and Vons.
The future
Local Rite Aid employees heard rumors that the building owner might be looking to fill the space with a market and possibly a clothing store. Prior to the opening of the Larchmont Boulevard location in 1999, the space was leased to Safeway. The property owner, Ron Simms, has owned this location for 38 years. He owns all of the properties on the Boulevard from Rite Aid south to Starbucks.
There has also been talk around the newsstand that renovations to the Rite Aid building could change the front of the building to make it more similar to the rest of the storefronts on the street. When we reached out to Simms, he said he had no comment.
Here at the Chronicle, we’ve tossed around the idea of having a small pharmacy that is able to fill prescriptions alongside a dinette. Mickey Fine Pharmacy and Grill in Beverly Hills and Fair Oaks Pharmacy in South Pasadena come to mind. Who wouldn’t want a counter to sit at to enjoy an ice cream soda while you wait for your prescription?
Category: News
