The beloved Thrifty Ice Cream brand, a Southern California staple for generations, faces an uncertain future as Rite Aid proceeds with widespread store closures following its second bankruptcy filing in two years.
Last week, Rite Aid confirmed that 10 Los Angeles-area pharmacies — many housing Thrifty Ice Cream counters — will shutter in June as part of a national restructuring effort. In total, over 300 of Rite Aid’s 1,200-plus locations are slated for closure, leaving loyal fans wondering what’s next for the nostalgic ice cream brand.
Thrifty Ice Cream originated in 1929 as part of a West Coast pharmacy chain, initially offering scoops sourced from local vendors for just five cents. By the 1940s, it had launched its own production and opened a major ice cream factory in El Monte in 1976 — a facility that still churns out around 60,000 gallons daily.
Rite Aid acquired Thrifty in 1996 but preserved its iconic ice cream counters, complete with the signature cylindrical scoops. Despite the chain’s financial woes, Thrifty’s retail products remain available in grocery stores, and the company continues to supply ice cream through wholesale channels, offering a glimmer of hope for the brand’s survival.
Rite Aid has yet to comment on the long-term plans for Thrifty Ice Cream. However, industry observers remain optimistic that the brand could continue independently — or be revitalized through ice cream franchise opportunities, given its deep roots in the California dessert scene.
As consumers seek out familiar flavors in a rapidly changing retail landscape, Thrifty’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience — and risk — tied to legacy brands navigating modern economic challenges. With the rising interest in ice cream franchise costs and nostalgic dessert brands, Thrifty may yet find new life beyond Rite Aid’s pharmacy shelves.
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