More biz news: Walgreens buying Rite-Aid; each has 2 stores here

Big takeover just announced: Walgreens is buying Rite-Aid for $9.4 billion. Walgreens has two West Seattle stores, in High Point (35th/Morgan) and South Delridge (15th/Roxbury); Rite-Aid has two stores in WS too, south of The Junction (California/Hudson) and at Westwood Village (25th/Barton). The official news release says that Rite-Aid will continue operating as a subsidiary of Walgreens, “initially” under the Rite-Aid name, so there’s no indication of closures/consolidations at this point. The aforementioned stores represent four of West Seattle’s six standalone chain drugstores right now – the other two, in Admiral and The Junction, belong to Bartell Drugs, which is headquartered in West Seattle – and a seventh is on the way, the CVS store to be built at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW.

Mr E October 27, 2015 (3:22 pm)

But what about my Plenti points?!

Dan October 27, 2015 (3:34 pm)

Anyone elso think that the California ave Rite-Aid is prime to be torn down and turned into apts/condos? This is one of the few location I would be upset about this happening as long as it had parking underneath and a retail bottom floor. It is such a waste of space as-is.

Kim October 27, 2015 (3:36 pm)

Interesting! They would be crazy not to redevelop the site at California and Hudson. It’s a huge property with great views.

JanS October 27, 2015 (4:04 pm)

So…if they have enough money to buy out Rite-Aid, do you think they could come up with a little more money to put into the 35th and Morgan store? Old building, chainlink fence, really faded Walgreen’s sign…or does that area not warrant updating. The building inside and out is an eyesore, IMO

Sanders October 27, 2015 (4:24 pm)

The Rite-Aid store on California Ave. at Hudson is on an overly large parking lot with no plantings or environmental considerations (rainwater runoff etc).I cringe every time I see that development. The building is ugly, the sign is ugly….Please, make it go away.

dsa October 27, 2015 (4:38 pm)

This disturbs me. It’s going to end up CVS and Walgreens everywhere up and down the coast.

Les October 27, 2015 (4:39 pm)

Many years ago the California Ave. location was a Safeway store.
Rite-Aid stock was up 43% today.

MsD October 27, 2015 (5:04 pm)

The inside of 35th/Morgan Walgreen’s is comparable to the other Walgreen’s I’ve shopped in over the last few years. And I’ve found the employees to be really friendly and helpful. The only thing that keeps me away from that store is the open-air drug market outside.

Mongo October 27, 2015 (5:04 pm)

Over the last few years, every time I drive by the Rite Aid on Calif, I’m amazed that it’s still a stand-alone store. That land has to be worth way more to a developer than it makes as a drug store. Once things settle in the takeover, I’ll bet that Walgreens sells that land pretty quickly.

WSB October 27, 2015 (5:33 pm)

Rite Aid is not the landowner.

clulessinws October 27, 2015 (5:11 pm)

I agree JanS

Wsea October 27, 2015 (5:53 pm)

Glad I use barrells to keep the competition alive. It’s now 58% cvs and 41% Walgreens/rid aid. I’m finally a 1% percenter. He he

miws October 27, 2015 (6:14 pm)

Bartell’s all the way….

Mike

m October 27, 2015 (6:24 pm)

Hey maybe Hagens will buy one

AMD October 27, 2015 (6:29 pm)

I still prefer Bartell’s. Not just because they’re local and have a better track record with regard to working conditions than CVS or Walgreen’s, but also because they have better prices and selection, and way better service.
I’d be happy to see more Bartell’s here. But anything is better than CVS.

Fiz October 27, 2015 (8:33 pm)

Pharmaca is the best!

TheKing October 27, 2015 (9:15 pm)

I wish The Keg was still in Westwood Village. There’s enough run down stores in our city.

ACG October 27, 2015 (9:55 pm)

What was The Keg? Sorry, before my time here in WS

WSB October 27, 2015 (10:25 pm)

ACG – That spot was part of The Keg restaurant chain https://www.kegsteakhouse.com

Buck October 27, 2015 (11:34 pm)

Originally, The Keg was located where Chase Bank is. The Rite Aid was a Sea Galley for years before The Keg moved there.

justducky October 27, 2015 (11:40 pm)

I’d like to see a Dick’s take over the California Rite Aid. Sometimes I just want a cheap greasy burger at 10pm.

Dale October 28, 2015 (5:26 am)

The sale is not expected to close till the 2nd half of next year. Total price is 17.4Billion including assumption of debt (bondholders rejoice). They are hoping to negotiate lower prices from manufacturers with more clout.

bree October 28, 2015 (6:21 am)

Been shopping at Rite Aid for years. The staff has always been nice & helpful. We always know we can find parking there anytime of day rather than going round and round. Bartells employees are also very nice and helpful…..just certain times of day hard to find parking. Rite Aid opening at 7AM is also helpful to us earlybirds. We hope that our Rite Aid gets to stay.

Funrunner October 28, 2015 (6:22 am)

Good news. Despise Rite Aid.

Rick October 28, 2015 (6:35 am)

If we’re time travelin’, take me back to the old Red Baron in WWV.

Sunuva October 28, 2015 (8:07 am)

I didn’t know there used to be a Keg Steakhouse at Westwood Village! That’s one of my favorite restaurants and they closed down the one in the Renton area a couple years ago.
.
I’ve been wondering since I moved here why there is no good restaurant where you can sit down, have a beer, etc, in the village. Most other similar shopping centers have some sort of restaurant/grill. This news gives me hope that one will return to Westwood Village someday!

John October 28, 2015 (9:57 am)

If we are time traveling, lets go back to the blueberry farm and bog with large pond that occupied Westwood Village’s footprint, froze over in the winter for ice skating in West Seattle.

Rick October 28, 2015 (11:40 am)

I do remember the Westwood swamp.

HelperMonkey October 28, 2015 (1:48 pm)

@ Buck: “We’ve got crab legs! Sea Galley!” – (you’re welcome, everyone old enough to remember that commercial and now has it stuck in your head)

Rick October 28, 2015 (2:49 pm)

And the Pickwick. Had to strain the brain to retrieve that one.

Ray West October 28, 2015 (6:49 pm)

Yeah, Red Baron was at WWV long before The Keg, Sea Galley, etc. West Seattle needs a good steak house.

Regarding Walgreen’s–I don’t think highly of their stores. The ones I’ve been in look junky, low-end, and always in disarray. Rite-Aid is better organized, but always incidents of expired products left on their shelves. I don’t trust them. Bartell’s is the only pharmacy I shop at.

Cottage grover October 28, 2015 (10:45 pm)

Ray West – west seattle has an amazing steakhouse. It’s called Jaks.

Would love to see Westwood become more of a Renton Landing type area with a local flare. Would give the teens a safe harbor. Possibly a movie theatre, some outside fireplace seating near barnes and noble, throw in a peets coffee shop, menchies, five guys, etc. i love west seattle and it’s vibe but i don’t see the harm in the outskirts of west seattle becoming more modern.

Sorry, comment time is over.