Two Tioga County Rite-Aid stores are now Walgreens

Two Tioga County Rite-Aid stores, one located at 153 Main St. in Owego, and another located at 21 North Main St. in Newark Valley, have been sold to Chicago-based Walgreens.

Sean Fitzgerald, store Manager in Owego, confirmed by phone, “Our location changed to Walgreens on Feb. 23.”

A representative at the Newark Valley location also indicated it is now a Walgreens. 

Founded in 1901, Walgreens, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, merged with Switzerland-based Alliance Boots in 2014.

According to a notice posted on Walgreens.com, select Rite Aid locations have transferred to Walgreens ownership.

The notice states, “Over the next 18 months, the majority of these locations will convert to full Walgreens locations with the products and services found at other Walgreens stores nationwide.”

Pharmacies were converted first, and then the remainder of store items will transition over time. During the transition stage, as noted on the Walgreens website, the affected stores will still continue to accept Rite Aid coupons and utilize the Rite Aid advertising circular until full conversion to the Walgreens brand and system is complete.

Still unknown to some in our region, Walgreens is a familiar name throughout the U.S.

According to a press release posted on RiteAid.com, an asset purchase agreement with the Walgreens Boots Alliance resulted in Walgreens purchasing 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid.

Rite Aid, which opened its first store in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1962, and along the way acquired other chains such as Brooks and Eckerd, will continue to operate about half of what was their total prior to the Walgreens deal. 

The Federal Trade Commission accepted Walgreens fourth deal agreement to acquire the 1,932 Rite Aid stores last fall. The commission had previously pushed back, with one particular line item noted that if all Rite Aid stores had been part of a single deal it would have left only two major pharmacy chains in the U.S., Walgreens and CVS.

Fitzgerald commented positively about the Walgreens chain and said a sign to inform customers about the switch had been posted at the store for some time. Fitzgerald also said that based on communications he has received, the entire transition could take up to three years.

Customers are encouraged to reach out to managers in Owego and Newark Valley with any questions. Frequently asked questions are also posted at walgreens.com.