Nostalgic Ice Cream Chain Could Be A Thing Of The Past As 500 Locations Close

As Rite Aid continues to close locations across the country as part of its bankruptcy filing, the company recently delivered another blow. It will close 500 Thrifty Ice Cream locations inside pharmacies nationwide. Because the ice cream shops operate inside Rite Aid, they cannot be sold as a separate entity. That means fans of the company’s iconic cylindrical scoops of delicious ice cream may be left with just memories.

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According to the company’s website, Thrifty Ice Cream has been a staple for nearly 100 years after opening its first location in Los Angeles in 1940.

“More than 80 years after its launch, Thrifty Ice Cream’s commitment to quality has never wavered. We still use the same recipe with fresh milk from local dairies. And when it comes to quality, no step is too much, like mixing in real fruit or freshly baked cookies,” the website says. “Even our Belgian chocolate is chipped from a locally mixed premium batch. To date, our ice cream has won over 1,600 gold medals in global dairy competitions.”

According to The Street, it could be the end for Thrifty Ice Cream as fans know it. The chain currently operates in 500 Rite Aid locations across the country. If a buyer does not emerge, the ice cream counter could go away, aside from a few franchise locations. But not all is lost. A buyer could continue to sell ice cream packaged to retail stores and supply franchisees.

X user @lainaminute shared the news about Thrifty’s potential disappearance, which saddened many fans.

“Nice to know. Nobody is going to miss Rite Aid but Thrifty Ice is a different story,” a fan shared.

 This person agreed, writing, “These are getting more and more depressing lol.”

This Thrifty Ice Cream customer will never forget their favorite scoop. “Undefeated, undisputed champion of Rainbow Sherbet.”

This story’s featured image is by Branislav Nenin via Shutterstock.