SHELBY — The recent closure of Shelby’s Rite Aid is not an isolated event.
According to Bloomberg, the drugstore chain had about 2,100 stores nationwide when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2023.
This has led to the closure of more than 520 stores across the country, including 286 in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Closures include all stores in Ohio and Michigan — except for four Ohio stores; Ashland, Uhrichsville, Cambridge and Wooster.
Jessica Gribben, economic development manager for Shelby and northern Richland County, said the Rite Aid on Mansfield Avenue had been around for more than a decade.
The drugstore chain bought the 11 Mansfield Avenue property in 1996 and began operating there upon completion of the building of its new store. Rite Aid first began in Shelby at 17 South Gamble St., which is now a Dollar General.
“The pharmacy closed very shortly after the announcement that they were closing the (Shelby) store,” Gribben said. “The store hung on for a month or month and a half or so.
“They’ve taken the signs down and everything, so they’re gone.”
Mansfield Avenue building is ‘prime real estate’
It’s always difficult to see a business close, Gribben said, but new opportunities for the Mansfield Avenue building may not be far off.
“This was a huge corporate decision happening nationally,” she said. “We are fortunate in Shelby that we do have a pharmacy in town still, so we’re in a better position than some having this closure.”
Discount Drug Mart, located at 219 Mansfield Avenue in Shelby, offers pharmacy services Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s also open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Located at the intersection of East Main Street and Mansfield Avenue, the former Rite Aid building is positioned close to the city’s downtown, providing “prime retail space” for its next occupant.
Gribben said Tuesday that interest in the former Rite Aid building has already been expressed.
“It’ll likely be another retail location and that’s kind of its highest and best use,” she said.
“When we see there’s a willing seller and an interested buyer it happens quickly. I think that is a positive for our community for sure. We don’t want to see buildings sit vacant.”
Economic growth still ‘heading in right direction’
Despite the recent closure of Rite Aid, Shelby’s economic growth is continuing to draw attention.
“People are looking at the Shelby community and seeing things that lead them to believe that it is headed in the right direction,” Gribben said.
“I’ve had that conversation with several retailers who have said, ‘We’re keeping an eye on Shelby,’ or ‘We’ve seen some of the things that are happening there and we’re interested.'”
The economic manager mentioned the Shelby Foundation’s recent investment in downtown real estate as an example.
In March, the foundation bought the former Dick’s Furniture building (62/64 West Main St.), the Sutter’s Home Furnishings building (70/72 W. Main St.) and the parcel located directly behind at 65 Wall St.
Carrie Kemerer, executive director of The Shelby Foundation, previously told Richland Source that Gribben is helping guide the foundation regarding how the buildings could be outfitted to suit potential tenants.
Future uses of the downtown Shelby buildings could include retail shops, entrepreneur shared space, restaurants and professional services, among other possibilities.
“There are preliminary conversations even now happening with people who have interest,” Gribben said. “Maybe it’s moving a restaurant or some sort of retail location to Shelby.”
