Rite Aid on the south side of Cullman, located at 1606 Second Ave. SW, seen here on June 4, 2018 (Nick Griffin for The Tribune)
CULLMAN – Walgreens management confirmed Monday afternoon that both Cullman Rite Aid locations will be permanently closing this month. No official confirmation was given on the exact date of the closures.
A press release from the Rite Aid Corporation on March 5, 2018 said that the company had transferred 1,651 stores and related assets to WBA (Walgreens Boots Alliance) and had received cash proceeds of $3.6 billion. It said WBA would purchase a total of 1,932 stores, three distribution centers and related inventory from Rite Aid for an all-cash purchase price of $4.4 billion.
The transfer of those stores to Walgreens was expected to be complete “in the spring of 2018.”
“We are always disappointed to hear that one of our corporate citizens who has been in the community for many years has announced a closure. It not only affects the employees, but it affects many of our citizens who turn to them daily for household supplies, make up, and especially prescriptions,” said Cullman Economic Development Agency Retail Development Manager Susan Eller. “However, we have great options in the community with locally-owned and national pharmacies that will be able to step in and help these citizens overcome this inconvenience.
“These closures will leave an empty slot in two centers; they are both nice sized stores that offer a great location and easy access. There is a lot of interest in Cullman at this time and I don’t see either of these spaces staying empty for very long.”
Cullman Rite Aid pharmacy customers should contact the store about having prescriptions transferred to Walgreens, according to a voice mail recording from Rite Aid.
Calls to the corporate offices of both Walgreens and Rite Aid have not been returned.
The Cullman stores are located at 1606 Second Ave. SW and 715 Cullman Shopping Center NW (next to Five Below).
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