WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA – It’s rare that a giant chain store evokes a feeling of connection, possibly even love, from locals.
But the Rite Aid pharmacy at Palos Verdes Mall in Walnut Creek, California, seems to have achieved that.
Serving the community for over a decade, the Rite Aid offered both convenient access to prescriptions and friendly staff – many of whom worked in the pharmacy for years.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the store also offered its iconic Thrifty ice cream!
The Rite Aid at Palos Verdes Mall unfortunately closed earlier this year due to the bankruptcy of the entire Rite Aid chain. Other Rite Aid locations throughout the Bay Area, including one in Orinda, were also impacted.
The closure of the Rite Aid at Palos Verdes Mall left a large gap in a suburban strip mall that’s otherwise almost always entirely full.
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Retail in downtown Walnut Creek, and to a lesser extent downtown Lafayette, has suffered recently. Malls on the periphery, like Palos Verdes, have always done well.
Rite Aid had served as one of two anchor stores at Palos Verde, alongside the Lunardi’s supermarket, which remains open. For a mall that’s otherwise always full, missing a big store feels like a lost opportunity – especially when the bankruptcy came as the result of problems at the national level, not with the local store.
As soon as Rite Aid announced its closure, locals began to speculate about what would come in to replace it. I stopped by the former Rite Aid location to see where things stand today. I also spoke to a representative of the Palos Verdes Mall to determine what might come next.
Specifically, I wanted to get to the bottom of a rumor that has been circulating in the community. Rumors have been spreading that a Ross store would open soon at the former Rite Aid location.
As of early September 2025, the former Rite Aid has fully shut down. Much of the interior is still present – including the counter where Thrifty ice cream was once served – but all of the items in the store have been liquidated.
The signage for Rite Aid remains up, though some of it has been covered in black plastic.
From all appearances, nothing is going into the Rite Aid in the short term. We pulled building permits for the location, and there doesn’t seem to be any permit activity.
The representative of Palos Verdes Mall confirmed this. They told us that although they would love to get a new tenant into the space as soon as possible, they’re still sorting through the details of Rite Aid’s overall bankruptcy.
That process takes time. Once it’s complete, they’ll be able to move a new tenant into the large retail space.
The confusion seems to be arising from the fact that a Ross store does appear to be replacing a different Rite Aid in Martinez. The representative for Palos Verdes told us there were no plans to bring a Ross store to the Walnut Creek location.
So that’s where things stand with the Rite Aid today. Bankruptcy proceedings are delaying the search for a new tenant. But once those are complete, a new store can come in and replace the somewhat forlorn-looking former pharmacy.
Our contact at Palos Verdes Mall did confirm that they would let us know as soon as they’ve selected a new tenant for the space. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you updated as soon as we learn who the new tenant will be.
Tom, i was going there since the 80’s. Thats why we we’re all so connected. Can’t believe the mystic store is still alive and well .
Need to do a piece on them.