**Rite Aid shutters Harbor store as part of widespread closures**

Residents of Harbor are now without a local Rite Aid pharmacy after the company closed its doors in June. The closure is part of a larger restructuring effort by the drugstore chain, which filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. The Harbor location was one of thirty-four stores across the state that were permanently shuttered as part of the initial phase of this process.

The news has left many in the Harbor community feeling the impact. For some, the Rite Aid was a convenient and trusted place to pick up prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and everyday essentials. The closure means residents will now need to find alternative pharmacies, potentially requiring longer travel times and disrupting established relationships with pharmacy staff.

Rite Aid, like many other traditional retail pharmacies, has been facing increasing financial pressures due to factors such as declining reimbursement rates from insurers, increased competition from online retailers, and significant debt obligations. The bankruptcy filing was a strategic move to allow the company to reorganize its finances, reduce debt, and streamline its operations.

While the closure of the Harbor store is undoubtedly a setback for the community, Rite Aid has indicated that it is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for its customers. Patients who previously filled prescriptions at the Harbor location are being directed to nearby Rite Aid stores, and efforts are being made to transfer prescription records to minimize disruption. However, for those who relied on the Harbor store as their primary pharmacy, the change will require adjustments and the establishment of new routines. The long-term impact on the Harbor community remains to be seen, but residents are hopeful that alternative solutions will emerge to address the gap left by the closure.