Rite Aid closure shouldn’t affect employees, customers

NORWICH – Although the original Rite Aid drug store in Norwich closed on Thursday and moved operations from 90 N. Broad St. to the nearby 82 N. Broad St. location, company representatives said they expect the change will have little effect on their employees or their customers.

Many customers in the Norwich area seem to agree.

In June of 2007, the Rite Aid Corporation bought the chain of Eckerd Pharmacies, and since then, Norwich has seen two Rite Aids operating directly across the street from one another. According to Ashley Flowers, a media representative for Rite Aid, the original location closed because of a decision that customers would be better served by utilizing the former Eckerd building. Flowers did not elaborate on the details of the decision.

“It will be a seamless transition for the customers,” she said.

A large sign by the front door of the original Rite Aid store Thursday, told customers the store had moved to a new location, and later in the day an additional sign was added that indicated the location of the new store.

Flowers explained that while the change would require the two stores to merge into one, all of the sales associates with the store had been offered the chance to keep their positions. “You’ll continue to see the same familiar faces at that store and at others in the area,” she said, explaining that some associates were offered jobs in out-of-town Rite Aid stores.