The future of Thrifty Ice Cream, a cherished West Coast tradition, is in jeopardy as Rite Aid continues to close hundreds of stores nationwide during ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
Rite Aid closures raise questions about iconic ice cream brand
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and announced in May that more than 300 stores would shut down. As part of that restructuring, many assets — including the Thrifty Ice Cream brand — are scheduled to be auctioned off on June 20, according to Reuters.
So far, there’s no official word from Rite Aid or Thrifty Ice Cream about whether the brand will continue after the auction. The uncertainty has left loyal fans concerned that the iconic scoops might disappear along with many store locations.
A brief history of Thrifty Ice Cream
Thrifty Ice Cream began in 1940 as a small factory operation in West Hollywood. It rose to popularity through Thrifty Drug Store soda fountains, eventually reaching what the company calls “cult status” by the 1970s thanks to celebrity shoutouts and its unique presentation style.
In 1996, Rite Aid acquired Thrifty and continued to serve the brand’s ice cream at select store counters—primarily across California, Arizona, and parts of the western U.S.
Key highlights of the brand’s legacy include:
- Iconic cylindrical scoops using a signature trigger-powered tool
- Strong brand nostalgia tied to in-store counters
- Cartons of ice cream sold at Rite Aid, Albertsons, and select grocery stores
Where can you still find Thrifty Ice Cream?
As of late May, Thrifty’s official website removed the list of scoop shop locations, making it unclear how many still remain in operation. The site does confirm that counters are still open in parts of California, Arizona, and Mexico, but no specific store data is provided.
The company says its ice cream cartons are still available at various grocery retailers and distributed through select partners.
Fans react to possible ‘end of an era’
Social media has seen an outpouring of nostalgia and concern from longtime fans of Thrifty Ice Cream. Some are mourning not just the product, but the entire in-store experience.
“It’s the whole experience of walking up to the dipping cabinet, salivating over the different flavors and getting that cone with that special Thrifty scooper,” one fan posted.
Another user, claiming to be related to the brand’s original founders, said they’re “sad to think this could be the end of an era.”
What happens next?
The June 20 auction will determine the future of Thrifty Ice Cream. Whether a buyer keeps the brand alive, integrates it into a new retail model, or phases it out remains to be seen. For now, both Rite Aid and Thrifty remain quiet.
As Rite Aid restructures and offloads its assets, fans of Thrifty Ice Cream will be watching closely—hoping this isn’t the final scoop.
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