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Rite Aid in Miller Place — one of the pharmacy giant’s 15 Long Island stores shutting down operations this fall and winter — has closed its doors for good.
A sign on the door of the pharmacy at 335 Route 25A advises customers that their prescriptions are available at all Walgreens, including the nearest location across the street at 302 Route 25A.
The struggling big chain pharmacy filed for bankruptcy protection in October and announced it was closing more than 150 locations across 15 states, including 14 Long Island stores.
Court documents in November indicated Rite Aid would shut down another 31 locations, including its Miller Place store.
The Justice Department sued Rite Aid in March for allegedly violating the federal False Claims Act and Controlled Substances Act. The pharmacy giant is accused of filling hundreds of thousands of prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, despite apparent “red flags.”
It is unclear what the plans are for the vacant storefront created by Rite Aid’s departure in Miller Place. It is located in Miller Place Square, between Burrito Palace & Grill and a cards and gifts shop.
Taco Bell and Smoothie King moving into old Friendly’s spot
The busy shopping strip includes Marshall’s and Applebees. The Rite Aid closure is the latest in a string of significant business developments in the vicinity of Miller Place Square and neighboring North Country Plaza.
Greater Port Jefferson previously reported that Daisy’s Nashville Lounge will open in early 2024 in the North Country Plaza spot that Recipe Seven bar and restaurant had called home for seven years before closing last summer. Additionally, Taco Bell and Smoothie King are set to replace the closed Friendly’s restaurant in the same shopping center.
Also, the construction of a new 12,500-square-foot food market on vacant land across the street from North Country Plaza (and just west of Walgreens) is under consideration by the Brookhaven Town Planning Department.
Other Long Island Rite Aid closures
According to reports, the following Long Island Rite Aid locations have closed or are slated to close soon:
3199 Long Beach Road | Oceanside | |
198 West Merrick Road | Valley Stream | |
836 Sunrise Highway | Bellmore | |
901 Merrick Road | Copiague | |
577 Larkfield Road | East Northport | |
695 East Jericho Turnpike | Huntington Station | |
700-43 Patchogue-Yaphank Road | Medford | |
273 Pine Hollow Road | Oyster Bay | |
397 Sunrise Highway | Patchogue | |
593 Old Town Road | Port Jefferson Station | |
65 Route 111 | Smithtown | |
836 Sunrise Highway | Bay Shore | |
2 Whitney Avenue | Floral Park | |
3131 Hempstead Turnpike | Levittown |
Top photo: The empty storefront in Miller Place Square shopping center left behind by the closure of Rite Aid (Credit: Brian Harmon)