BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Jefferson Square ex-Bartell Drugs closed today for transition to CVS; Admiral switch to follow

(WSB photos)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

There is a flurry of activity in the Jefferson Square parking lot today, with containers being unloaded ahead of the reopening of the former Bartell Drugs as a CVS Pharmacy store tomorrow.

The store is closed today, as dozens of workers tote up inventory, bring in display cases, and change over the computer systems. Assistant Manager Ryan tells WSB all of the staff is continuing to work in the store, including the pharmacists. As we previously reported, prescriptions that have been handled by Bartells will be moved to CVS automatically. The store will also start to accept the CVS reward card, though Ryan said depending on how the system switchover goes, that may not happen on day one.

What may take a little longer is all the training that staff will need, and Ryan asked customers for patience. “We’ll be relearning a lot of stuff,” he says, and having the help of CVS managers for the first few weeks. At the end of that time, he also expects more inventory to start arriving. “When we get more product, we’ll be busier,” which means more options for customers. “Working with more products is nice for everyone.”

He’s expecting more variety and more seasonal items, but it’s unclear how much the Bartell and CVS inventories will overlaps. Ryan did say that after they reopen tomorrow, selected items will be on sale, as much as 75 percent off.

CVS at Jefferson Square will be open tomorrow starting at 9 am and follow the same open hours as Bartells did.

The Admiral Bartell Drugs store is scheduled for a similar transition next week, as we first reported two months ago. Staff there tells WSB today that the store will close at noon Tuesday (September 2) and will reopen Wednesday (September 3) as CVS. Part of one aisle has selected Rite Aid-branded items at a 90 percent discount right now.

We’re told the Admiral staff is staying on, too. This will be the third and final West Seattle drugstore taken over by CVS as a result of the Rite Aid bankruptcy; the Westwood Village Rite Aid was not acquired, and closed permanently earlier this week.

Jay August 28, 2025 (3:55 pm)

I’m wondering if this means we’ll have an alternative to shopping online for pharmacy products. It’s frustrating to run out of baby ointment and having to wait for an Amazon delivery because Safeway doesn’t carry it and Bartell shelves are empty.

Jeff August 28, 2025 (4:28 pm)

It’s tough to get new inventory when you can’t pay your suppliers. Surely it will have to be better than it was, because it hardly could get worse.
- Thomas August 28, 2025 (6:23 pm)
  
  I mean, it definitely can get worse. They might only end up keeping one store open of these three, and just leave two rotting husks just sitting there. They probably won’t hire enough people it doesn’t feel abandoned, but probably will also raise prices. There’s so many ways it can just get worse.
Alki resident August 28, 2025 (5:48 pm)

Order extra so you never run out. I normally double up on things I use a lot of.

Denise August 28, 2025 (4:55 pm)

Boooo! I miss Bartells

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy August 28, 2025 (7:52 pm)

They’ve been gone for a long time now. This is just the loss of the name only…
- LovedBARTELL August 30, 2025 (9:01 am)
  
  How trite of you! Bartell Drugs was a family owned drugstore with Superior customer service. It was a huge loss to our community! Bartell drugs was a unique and valuable part of our community. I’m so pissed at Rite Aid. I have no words for their giant stupidity!

onion August 28, 2025 (6:12 pm)

Inventory! What a concept!Glad they are keeping existing staff, but I, too, will miss Bartells,

Kristina August 28, 2025 (6:47 pm)

I went to the CVS just south of the Junction on California, and was met with stocked shelves. After years of nothingness on those shelves it was quite welcome! I am glad to have a functional drugstore again.

Dawn August 28, 2025 (6:59 pm)

I’ve been trying to get them to refill my prescription all week, hopefully the official switch helps! Been several days without my meds which is not fun.

aa August 29, 2025 (4:06 am)

You might want to call your doctor and let them know your situation. They may be able to send in a new prescription that could be filled faster or they could send it to a different pharmacy while you are waiting for the transition to be completed.
datamuse August 29, 2025 (3:53 pm)

Make sure they take your insurance. My prescriptions got transferred from the Westwood Rite Aid to the CVS on California, but CVS doesn’t take my insurance. I’m in the process of transferring to Costco.

Sillygoose August 28, 2025 (9:12 pm)

What a waste two CVS with a mile of each other?

Lola August 29, 2025 (7:22 am)

Sillygoose, in just a bit we will have 3 CVS in West Seattle cause the one in the Admiral is changing over to CVS as well. I hated it when they went to Rite-Aid so lets hope that CVS is better? Not holding my breath tho.
K August 31, 2025 (5:08 pm)

Meanwhile, White Center/Westwood has lost three pharmacies in just a couple years, with Safeway the only one remaining. Welcome to privilege.
Brad Garf September 3, 2025 (12:34 pm)

Not everyone has a car.

WSCurmudgeon August 29, 2025 (8:49 am)

It’s 3/10 of a mile, as the crow flies, from Jeff Square CVS to CVS at California & Dawson, per Google Maps. In the long run, it seems unlikely that both will continue to operate.

ACG August 29, 2025 (7:53 pm)

Isn’t Jefferson Square slated to be demolished when (if?) light rail comes? That might take care of that situation.
- Brad Garf September 3, 2025 (12:35 pm)
  
  That’s my guess. Only reason they’re keeping it open is to get that Eminent Domain payout in a few years.

Love the Blog in Arbor Hts August 29, 2025 (12:24 pm)

WOW so much upheaval in West Seattle – pharmacy closures!!. Huge shout out to West Seattle Blog for making it easier (if not truly painless!) to navigate these changes such as pharmacy closures that actually impact our health!

WSB August 29, 2025 (12:35 pm)

Thanks for the kind words. Meantime, I didn’t even think about this until writing today’s biznotes roundup but WS also lost a pharmacy three years ago when Pharmaca closed, and 15 years ago (!) the former Westside/West Seattle Pharmacy closed (where Box Bar is now) …. and I’m sure others before that (but we’ve only been doing this since 2007). My late husband Patrick was the son of a pharmacist – who had his own little corner drugstore for a few years and then went to work for a small regional chain in Western Colorado – and would have been extra-interested in all this … TR
- Tracey August 30, 2025 (11:43 am)
  
  Sounds like Patrick’s Dad worked during the Golden Age of pharmacy. I retired from it in 2021. A lot changed from when I graduated from pharmacy school in 1988. Not for the better. I hope kids tread with caution when selecting this as a career. Not a bright future.

Love the Blog in Arbor Hts August 29, 2025 (12:38 pm)

Morton’s alum August 29, 2025 (9:21 pm)

Be prepared to wait for a few days for subscription. Prior to turnover they said all would transfer over but that is not the case. I went to pick up refill that was ordered Monday which said it would be ready for pickup. They cancelled all previous refill orders. They were out of meds and will not get shipments until mid next week. Cvs does not have a contract with my insurance (national insurance company) so all meds are out of pocket. Check if your insurance accepts CVS otherwise you will need to switch to online or Walgreens which is last pharmacy on island.The new staff also announce your meds out loud when at checkout so everyone can hear your medical issues. Not much privacy from before. Be prepared for power drills and loud construction as they dismantle the aisles. They are having 75% off random products stuffed into 3 aisles. But not enough to cover out of pocket meds.

aa August 30, 2025 (7:31 am)

I have been using CVS pharmacy in Burien for over five years. I started using them when I lived there and I haven’t changed because the pharmacies in WS (not an island Mort) have been so lacking. If you have a prescription on your account I believe you can change the prescription pickup location to Burien as the transition gets settled and then change it back to a WS location before next time you need to pickup. I know this isn’t even a temporary solution for some people. And like many I am not a fan of CVS as a company but my health takes priority. Hope this helps someone.

Catherine August 30, 2025 (9:46 am)

I transferred my prescriptions to Safeway because the new CVS did not take my insurance.

cam August 30, 2025 (6:09 pm)

I miss Bartells. So sad. Switching over to QFC. Their pharmacy has really helpful staff and no lines. Did I just ruin this for myself?

Agrees with both WSMadSciGuy AND LovedBartells September 1, 2025 (6:27 pm)

@WestSeattleMad Sci Guy had it correct, “Loved Bartells” – Bartell’s has been gone for a long time; and now the name goes. They haven’t been run as the family-owned, corner Bartells many of us grew up with – carrying everything you could need, from umbrellas to diaper wipes to nail polish remover to toothbrushes to Rx to science projects & garage sale poster boards…! – since, well, before the family sold but after upper management was taken over and cost-cut the soul out. I’m afraid, with our over-reliance on internet & delivery, we’ve done this to ourselves :/ Maybe we’ll take a lesson — (if CVS prices like their Burien store, shopping local is going to be more of a pocketbook challenge than ever….)

WestSeattleMom September 7, 2025 (12:20 pm)

The new pharmacy is a HOT MESS. Avoid if at all possible, I’m transferring my scripts to somewhere else immediately. I could get into details, but I won’t.

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