Rite Aid buys Bartell Drugs chain for $95 million

The 130-year-old Bartell Drugs chain of pharmacies has been bought by Rite Aid.

According to King 5, Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid purchased the local pharmacy chain for $95 million. Bartell has a long history in Seattle—their first location opened in 1890 in the Central District. Now, Bartell’s 69 stores across King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties will be under the Rite Aid umbrella of more than 2,500 stores in 19 states. 

Bartell Drugs CEO Kathi Lentzsch told King that the pandemic led to the sale, along with “changes in the pharmacy industry” and various tax rises in Seattle.

While the ownership will change, Rite Aid CEO Heyward Donigan told King the two brand names will co-exist. She added there are no immediate plans to close any locations or lay off any employees.

There are two Ballard Bartell Drugs locations; we’ll update if we learn about any potential impacts to the local pharmacies.