CVS just finished scooping up dozens of Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs locations as part of a bankruptcy asset sale that wrapped at the end of September. The deal gives CVS another foothold in the Pacific Northwest while pushing Rite Aid further toward collapse.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Which Stores Is CVS Taking Over?
CVS now operates 63 former Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and has acquired prescription files from 626 additional pharmacies in 15 states, the pharmacy announced October 15.
“We’re excited to have completed the acquisition of select Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the acquisition of prescription files of hundreds of Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs pharmacies across 15 states,” said Len Shankman, Executive Vice President and President, Pharmacy and Consumer Wellness, CVS Health.
When Did It Happen?
The deal extends pharmacy service to more than nine million former Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs patients. The final conversions, in Bend, Oregon and Bainbridge Island, Washington, were completed on September 30. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey approved the sale of Rite Aid assets to CVS Pharmacy in May 2025, part of a larger liquidation process that allowed multiple buyers to bid on store operations and prescription files. CVS was the largest buyer in that round of transactions.
Where Are These Stores Going?
Most CVS locations receiving transferred prescriptions are within three miles of the closed Rite Aid stores, and nearly half are within one mile. CVS hired more than 3,500 former Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs employees and made targeted investments in staffing, recruitment, and training to handle the new business.
Why Did CVS Want the Deal?
Shankman said the deal helps maintain access to pharmacy care while expanding CVS’s retail footprint. “We’re helping maintain and expand access to convenient and trusted pharmacy care across the U.S. and growing our retail footprint and presence in local communities. From our innovative pharmacy care programs to our exclusive store brand products, we look forward to showing Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs patients and customers all that CVS has to offer.”
The company plans community “Grand Opening Block Parties” throughout October to mark the conversions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
