PHILADELPHIA, PA (MyKeeneNow) After more than six decades in business, Rite Aid is preparing to wind down its pharmacy operations following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing earlier this week. The beleaguered chain, which once operated over 2,000 locations (it’s now at 1,245), announced plans to sell off its remaining stores, prescription records, and other assets as it shutters distribution centers and trims its retail footprint.

The move follows a wave of closures that hit local communities in recent months—including stores in Keene and Peterborough—fueling speculation about the company’s future. Those rumors were confirmed on Monday, May 5, when Rite Aid formally declared bankruptcy for the second time in two years.

While stores will stay open temporarily, officials say the doors will ultimately close for good unless locations are purchased by new owners. In Cheshire County, there are two other stores (in Jaffrey and Winchester) that will also be affected. It is not clear exactly when stores will shut down.

In the meantime, Rite Aid says it is working to ensure customers can transition their prescriptions to other providers without interruption. The Keene and Peterborough stores’ prescriptions have been transferred to CVS pharmacy.

“We are committed to facilitating a smooth transfer of prescriptions and continuing service to our customers through this process,” the company said in a statement.

Founded in 1962, Rite Aid grew into a staple for many, particularly in rural areas and neighborhoods where options for affordable prescriptions and essentials were limited. The news has sparked concern among longtime customers who relied on their local stores not just for medication, but for personal service and convenience.

Once a giant in the pharmacy space, Rite Aid has struggled in recent years. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2023 after restructuring its debt but has since shrunk to just over 1,200 stores.