CVS Pharmacy has announced plans to rebrand 20 Bartell Drugs locations in Washington as part of its acquisition of 64 Rite Aid stores in the Pacific Northwest. The company has not yet shared which specific Bartell stores will transition or whether other Bartell locations will remain open under the existing brand.
A CVS spokesperson acknowledged Bartell Drugs’ long-standing presence in Washington, expressing the company’s intent to maintain a selection of local products familiar to Bartell customers. CVS also noted that current Bartell employees are being considered for roles at the rebranded locations.
Bartell Drugs, a Seattle-based pharmacy chain established in 1890, became part of Rite Aid in 2020. Following Rite Aid’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2023, hundreds of stores across the country have been listed for closure in recent court filings. The future of Bartell Drugs stores outside of the 20 CVS-acquired locations remains uncertain.
CVS currently operates around 70 pharmacies in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The rebranding is part of the company’s broader regional growth strategy, with an emphasis on preserving valued community connections and enhancing in-store offerings.
