As Rite Aid shutters many of its locations and navigates bankruptcy proceedings, fans of Thrifty Ice Cream are left with one burning question: What happens to the ice cream?
Thrifty Ice Cream, with its iconic cylindrical scoops and nostalgic roots dating back to 1940 in West Hollywood, has long been a West Coast favorite. It reached cult status by the 1970s and has remained a beloved treat, often associated with the childhood memories of many Californians. But now, with Rite Aid (Thrifty’s parent company) undergoing a major restructuring and potentially selling off its assets, the future of the ice cream brand is uncertain.
Despite repeated inquiries, Rite Aid has remained tight-lipped about Thrifty Ice Cream specifically. The company’s recent statement about selling off inventory and entering Chapter 11 proceedings didn’t mention ice cream at all. Similarly, Thrifty Ice Cream itself has not yet responded to direct questions about how many ice cream counters will remain, where the product will be sold, or whether the brand has plans to expand independently.
However, it’s not all bad news for fans. The Thrifty Ice Cream factory in El Monte, California, is still operational, and the ice cream is still available in major grocery chains like Vons, Albertsons, Pavilions, and some Bristol Farms locations. Additionally, Thrifty continues to offer franchise opportunities for independent shops — complete with the classic scooper.
So, while you may not be able to get a scoop at your neighborhood Rite Aid in the near future, Thrifty Ice Cream isn’t gone. But with no clear guidance from either company, its availability in brick-and-mortar scoop shops may become increasingly rare.
For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation — and a reminder to stock up while you still can.
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