Rite Aid’s Fall: An Oregon Perspective

In a startling blow to our state and the wider nation, Rite Aid has announced plans to shutter nearly 70 stores throughout the United States, with 12 sites located here in Oregon. The closures come amid the corporation’s second bankruptcy.

The Heart of Small Town Oregon

Rite Aid’s closure here in Oregon is not just another business scaling back. When you look closely, you see the story of towns and communities that have relied on these stores for their health needs and daily supplies. Many of the locations set to close, for example, are in small towns like La Grande and Pendleton, where Rite Aid is amongst few other options.

Frank Ackerman, a 67-year-old resident from Hood River, lamented, “This is where we go for our prescriptions, our vitamins, and basic supplies. It’s a convenient stop on my way home from work. Where are we supposed to go now?”

A Ripple Effect: The Impact on Local Communities

These store closures represent more than just convenience lost. For many residents, particularly the elderly and those without access to reliable transportation, a trip to a Rite Aid store is a means of ensuring their health and wellness.

Dr. Julia Brown, a retired professor from University of Oregon, warned, “Rural communities will bear the brunt of these closures. They lack the backup solutions available in urban areas like Portland where there are a multitude of pharmacies.”

But it isn’t just residents feeling the crunch. Local officials find themselves grappling with the impending hit to both their economy and employment rates. Pendleton City Manager, Randy Johnson stated, “From an economic standpoint, losing one of our larger employers will be a significant setback. And from a community perspective, it’s a loss of accessible healthcare resources.”

Oregon’s Future Landscape

In a broader context, this latest development begs the question, what does this mean for Oregon’s future? Are we at the mercy of multinational corporations who decide when to set up shop and when to pick up stakes leaving us in the lurch?

Perhaps it’s a wakeup call for Oregon to bolster our local businesses, to invest in easy-to-access healthcare services, and to counterbalance the stronghold of corporations. As Oregonians, we need to keep looking out for each other, check in on our neighbors, and provide the local support that multinational businesses often lack.

Cassie Thompson, owner of a local diner in La Grande, put it best when she said, “It’s time for us to rise to the occasion and come together. We may not have corporate backing, but we’ve got something stronger – community.”

In the wake of this news, it’s reminder that Oregon remains resilient. From the timber crisis to now, we have faced setbacks, adapted, and come out stronger. It’s in our DNA. These challenges only serve to forge a more robust Oregon, standing tall and proud against the test of time.

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This perspective piece was inspired by reporting from [rssfeeds.kgw.com](https://rssfeeds.kgw.com/~/918166784/0/kgw/local~Rite-Aid-stores-in-Oregon-set-to-close). For the original reporting, visit the [source article](https://rssfeeds.kgw.com/~/918166784/0/kgw/local~Rite-Aid-stores-in-Oregon-set-to-close).