Grand Junction Rite Aid Stores Closing Down

Get ready to see more empty buildings in Grand Junction.

There's no official word yet from Rite Aid, but, Grand Junction Rite Aid employees have been told their stores will be closing by the end of the year. On the front door of the Rite Aid on North First Street is a sign indicating the store will be closing. The sign informs pharmacy customers their prescriptions will be transferred to Walgreens Pharmacy later this month.

Grand Junction currently has three Rite Aid locations.
* 2992 Patterson
* 1834 N. 12th Street
* 400 N. 1st Street

The closings will leave a big hole on the corners of 1st & Grand and 29 Road & Patterson, and the shopping center across the street from the CMU soccer and lacrosse field on the corner of Orchard and 12th Street.

According to their website, Rite Aid operates 2458 stores across the county. At this point, there's no word on exactly how many stores will be shuttered nationwide.

While Grand Junction will be left with three Walgreen's locations and several pharmacy options, the Rite Aid stores will be missed in their respective neighborhoods. With any luck, the vacated buildings will not sit empty for long. It can be a little discouraging when you drive across town and you see retail buildings sitting empty month after month.

The next time you are in a Grand Junction Rite Aid be sure and say a kind word to the employees who will be looking for new jobs in the coming weeks.