With many Rite Aid stores closing, is Thrifty Ice Cream in danger?
Hat tip to the amazing Evan Lovett of LA in a Minute, who recently highlighted Los Angeles' love affair with the iconic cylindrical scoops and the history behind them.
Thrifty launched in 1940 in West Hollywood. By the 1970s, the company says, Thrifty Ice Cream had 'attained cult status along the West Coast, with significant celebrity shoutouts.'
And it's still a hot topic. Start typing 'Thrifty Ice Cream' into Google, and the top searches include:
Why is Thrifty Ice Cream so good?
Why is Thrifty Ice Cream so cheap?
Does Thrifty Ice Cream still exist?
It's that last question that has people concerned.
What customers can expect as Rite Aid closes or sells all its drugstores
Following Evan's lead, we reached out to both Thrifty and Rite Aid. We've been tracking pharmacy closures for months.
In February, Rite Aid told KTLA:
'Rite Aid regularly assesses its retail footprint to ensure we are operating efficiently while meeting the needs of our customers, communities, associates and overall business.'
But what about the ice cream? We asked again this week—specifically about Thrifty Ice Cream—and received a statement from Rite Aid that didn't mention Thrifty at all. The company told KTLA:
'After considering all alternatives, the only viable path forward for Rite Aid is to once again commence Chapter 11 proceedings. We will use this process to pursue a sale of our prescriptions, pharmacy and front-end inventory, and other assets…'
Still no word on the ice cream. So we went directly to Thrifty. Our questions included:
How many Thrifty Ice Cream counters will remain, and where?
What other retail locations still carry Thrifty?
Are there any plans for expansion?
So far, no answers—just an ice cream mystery. Here's what we do know:
Yes, the factory in El Monte is still producing the beloved ice cream. And yes, you can still find tubs at local supermarkets, including Vons, Albertsons, Pavilions and some Bristol Farms locations. Those grocery stores may be your best bet moving forward, as neither company is offering much clarity.
And yes—Thrifty says you can open your own ice cream shop and sell Thrifty Ice Cream, complete with the iconic cylindrical scoop.
Fun fact: Thrifty says it taste-tests hundreds of new flavors each year and has even created exclusive custom flavors like Sriracha Swirl and Bacon & Cheddar.
The big question now: Where will you be able to get them? It likely won't be Rite Aid.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
12 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Craft beer is dying, but this brewer is bucking the trend
Craft beer is in decline. For the first time in nearly two decades in the U.S., more breweries closed in 2024 than opened, according to the Brewers Association. But one brand, Dogfish Head Brewery, is celebrating its 30th anniversary and bucking the trend, expanding its business and staying relevant while others close their doors. Don't miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet's FREE Daily newsletter Part of the decline is a hangover from the pandemic shutdowns, which hit restaurants and breweries hard. Even as pandemic restrictions lifted, breweries found themselves in an altered landscape. Many didn't survive. The ones that did faced a new set of challenges. At the top of the list: rising rents and labor costs, supply chain disruptions, and inflation on ingredients and packaging. Then came tariffs, affecting brewing equipment, steel kegs, and aluminum cans. These headwinds made the financial pressures facing many brewers impossible to overcome. Image Source: Bloomberg/Getty Images The entire alcoholic beverage industry has been facing an existential problem: changing consumer behavior. Americans are drinking less beer, particularly younger consumers, who are opting instead for hard seltzers, canned cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks - or skipping alcohol altogether. Recreational cannabis is now legal in 24 states, which is also taking a bite (sip?) out of the market. Then there is the growing use of Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, drugs that curb appetite and often reduce alcohol cravings. Related: Beloved brewery faces Chapter 11 bankruptcy, asks for help Amid this perfect storm, Dogfish Head Brewery stands out as an exception - and a blueprint for resilience. The Delaware-based craft brewer is marking its 30th anniversary in 2025 with continued growth and a broader business model that's helping it weather the industry downturn. "Weed, wellness, and weight-loss drugs are all impacting the way people drink," Dogfish Head Brewery founder Sam Calagione told TheStreet in an exclusive interview. "Instead of fighting that, we've expanded the portfolio to meet people where they are." When Dogfish Head founders Mariah and Sam Calagione started making beer for their Delaware restaurant in 1995, they had no idea they were at the forefront of a new industry; twenty years in, Dogfish Head Brewery's sales were reportedly between $110 and $120 million. Then, in 2019, Dogfish Head announced it was merging with The Boston Beer Company, bringing the country's second-largest craft brewer (Boston Beer, maker of Samuel Adams) together with the 13th largest, Dogfish Head. The merger was massive, but it preserved the independent craft brewery status of both brands, as defined by the Brewers Association. Related: Another popular beer and brewery brand files Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Boston Brewing Company acquisition was worth around $300 million in cash and stock to the Calagiones. Following the merger, Calagione joined Boston Beer's board of directors, and he and his wife Mariah are the company's largest individual shareholders outside of Jim Koch, founder and chairman of The Boston Beer Company. Today, Dogfish Head's portion of the Boston Beer Company's sales is around $275 million (out of a total $2.01 billion), according to RocketReach. So what's Dogfish Head's secret? There's more than one. First, Dogfish Head has been making ready-to-drink canned beverages almost since day one. The company distills its own Dogfish Head spirits, including vodka ("Awe-Spray"), gin ("Compelling"), and rum ("Barrel Honey") for use in its Vodka Lemonade, Vodka Mule, and Rum Mai Ta, among other drinks. Dogfish Head's business model, which Calagione calls "beyond beer," isn't limited to just beverages. The company operates a boutique hotel in Lewes, Delaware, as well as brewery and distillery tours that he says draw hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Retail closings: Popular retail chain to close unprofitable store locationsBankrupt retail chain unloads store leases, key assetPopular discount retailer files bankruptcy, closes all stores This hospitality component adds a revenue stream independent of distribution or retail, and gives the brand a valuable experiential marketing engine. Visitors become loyal customers, and the tours reinforce Dogfish Head's position as a craft pioneer. That kind of vertical integration - product, experience, and lifestyle brand - is a key differentiator in an otherwise saturated industry. Dogfish Head has always been known for its off-centered ales, using unexpected ingredients – from black limes and saffron to Mace and even human saliva – to create bold flavors. One of its earliest successes was Midas Touch, a beer brewed with honey, white Muscat grapes, and saffron, inspired by an ancient recipe found in a 2,700-year-old drinking vessel from King Midas' tomb. The company's bestselling beer today is its 60 Minute IPA, which Calagione says gives him inspiration even as he rethinks his own drinking. "I spend 60 minutes every day on a paddle board or my mountain bike out in the bounty of Mother Nature," he says. "I do that to earn my beer calories for the evening." When Dogfish Head Brewery was founded, Calagione says there were 600 craft brewers in the U.S. Today, there are around 10,000, so there is a lot of competition to fend off, but Dogfish Head is a model showing how craft breweries can evolve into multi-channel businesses that go beyond beer. "Short term we're facing some challenging trends, but we need to remember beer's been around and part of human community building for 10,000 years," he said. "There are a lot of closings and bankruptcies and sad stories," Calagione said. "So we're really excited to tell the story of how we're bucking those trends." Related: Popular Off the Las Vegas Strip casino bar closing The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Troubled handgun manufacturer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The U.S. firearms industry has faced financial distress in 2025 as gun manufacturers and ammo producers have closed down and, in some cases, filed for bankruptcy protection. Several economic issues are the main reasons for the firearm industry's distress. Most companies blamed rising inflation, increased interest rates, and consumers' changing attitudes toward spending for their economic problems. Related: Popular music star's company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The industry's issues led to retail firearm sales declining in the first quarter of 2025 by 9.6% year-over-year with revenue dropping 11.5%, according to a report from RetailBI as American Rifleman reported. Rifle sales declined the most, by 12.3%, while handguns fell 9% and shotguns dropped by 7.5%. Rifle sales: 12.3% sales: 9% 7.5% sales: 9.6% decline. Some gun makers have also shut down operations for economic issues without filing for bankruptcy. In the case of firearms manufacturer SCCY Industries LLC, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy over four months after shutting down its operations. The Daytona Beach, Fla., firearms manufacturer filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida on Aug. 1, listing $1 million to $10 million in assets and liabilities. The debtor's largest creditors include Center Point Business Park, owed over $599,000; County of Volusia, owed over $406,000, and BFB, owed over $283,000. Center Point Business Park, owed over $599, of Volusia, owed over $406, owed over $283,000. SCCY's assets were seized by the Volusia County Tax Office of Florida at its Daytona factory on March 11, 2025, for non-payment of tax debts of almost $250,000. The tax office posted a Notice of Pending Levy and Seizure on the factory's exterior stating: "All equipment, furniture, and fixtures located inside this location regardless of status (owned, leased, loaned, or borrowed,) are subjected to taxation and are now under pending levy and seizure for unpaid tangible personal property taxes." Joe Roebuck, a mechanical engineer and tool-and-die-maker, founded SCCY in 2003. SCCY's first manufactured gun, the CPX-1 pistol, was first sold in 2005. The company was listed in the Top 10 among domestic pistol manufacturers in volume in 2022, according to Shooting Illustrated. It is unclear what assets SCCY still possessed. More Bankruptcy: Major iconic food brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular Dairy Queen rival franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular vision care chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy SCCY's bankruptcy follows a petition by a relatively new U.S. firearms manufacturer, Watchtower Firearms LLC, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb. 27, 2025, facing financial problems. The debtor, which was established in 2022, said operational challenges, tax obligations, and significant vendor and service provider debt led to its financial distress. The Frisco, Texas, firearms maker offers its Apache 9mm pistol, its Bridger 7mm bolt-action rifle, and other custom and special edition rifles. Related: Popular beverage brand files Chapter 11 bankruptcy Firearms ammunition manufacturer and dealer Specialty Cartridge Inc., which operates as Atlanta Arms, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 7, 2025, to reorganize its business. The company manufactures and sells ammunition for handguns and rifles, and offers hats and t-shirts for sale. It has various targets and target pasters for purchase as well. Most recently, firearms, ammunition, and indoor range retailer Bare Arms LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in two years on July 21, 2025, because of financial distress. The debtor's petition did not state a specific reason for the bankruptcy filing, but it's likely that events leading up to Bare Arms' first Chapter 11 filing on May 15, 2023, played a role in its second bankruptcy filing. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Popular rapper files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Superstar singers are on the top of the world when their records are topping the charts. Artists' careers can come crashing down when their hits stop coming, forcing some stars to file for bankruptcy protection. The list of singers who have filed for bankruptcy over the years looks like it came from an oldies radio station playlist. Rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, country superstar Willie Nelson, rock icon David Crosby, pop star Cyndi Lauper, and hip-hop star MC Hammer, whose legal name is Stanley Burrell, each filed for bankruptcy at some point in their careers, according to law firm Levitt & Slafkes website. Related: Popular pizza and beer chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Superstar rapper and actor 50 Cent in July 2015 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut after losing a $5 million judgment in an invasion of privacy lawsuit, the Florida Times-Union reported at the time. Jerry Lee Hammer.50 Cent. The rapper, whose legal name is Curtis Jackson III, exited bankruptcy in February 2017 after paying off about $23 million in debts, The Guardian reported at the time. And now, popular rapper Phora has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to restructure his debts owed to major creditors, including Warner Records. Related: Popular beverage brand files Chapter 11 bankruptcy The rapper, whose legal name is Marco Anthony Archer, filed his Subchapter V petition on behalf of his company Phora LLC in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California on Aug. 1, listing up to $50,000 in assets and $500,000 to $1 million in liabilities. More Bankruptcy: Major iconic food brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular Dairy Queen rival franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular vision care chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The debtor's largest creditors included Oren Lang, owed $400,000 in a contingent, unliquidated, disputed claim; Warner Records, owed $200,000 in a contingent, unliquidated claim; and Nixon Peabody, owed over $77,000, according to the petition. Phora also listed Kobalt Music Publishing as a creditor. Oren Lang, owed $400, Records, owed $200, Peabody, owed over $77,689. The rapper's petition did not indicate a specific reason for filing for bankruptcy. The rapper Phora, 30, began rapping in 2011 and landed his first major recording contract with Warner Records in 2017, releasing his debut album "Yours Truly Forever," which rose to No. 44 on the Billboard 200 album chart in September 2017. Two subsequent Phora albums hit the Billboard 200 chart, "Love Is Hell" at No. 87 in October 2018 and "With Love II" at No. 160 in November 2020. Phora left Warner Records in 2019 to launch his own label, releasing his first independent album on Yours Truly Records, "Bury Me with Dead Roses," according to The rapper is on a 19-show tour that begins in Oklahoma City on Aug. 1 and ends Sept. 28 in Palm Springs, Calif. A show scheduled for Austin, Texas, on July 31 was cancelled. Oklahoma City, Aug. Aug. Calif., Aug. Aug. Aug. Idaho, Aug. Lake City, Aug. N.M., Aug. Calif., Sept. Ariz., Sept. 6Brawley, Calif., Sept. 7Fresno, Calif., Sept. Calif., Sept. Sept. Francisco, Sept. Calif., Sept. Calif., Sept. Diego, Sept. Springs, Calif., Sept. 28. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
