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It’s official. The remaining Bartell Drugs locations are officially closed.
How we got here
ICYMI — Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and closed its four Bartell Drug locations in Redmond, Bellevue, and Lynnwood. In May 2025, CVS took over many Bartell Drugs locations.
Flash forward to October 2025, and CVS confirmed it would be rebranding the remaining Bartell Drugs stores.
A little history
Bartell Drugs sold to Rite Aid in 2020 for $95 million, but had deep Seattle roots beforehand. Here’s a little timeline of events.
- 1890 | George H. Bartell Sr. — a 21-year-old pharmacist — buys Lake Washington Pharmacy in Central District.
- 1917 | The pharmacy opens a photo lab at its 1906 Boren Ave. location — a groundbreaking service at the time.
- 1939 | George H. Bartell Jr. takes over the business.
- 1990 | His son, George D. Bartell, continues the legacy.
- 1993 | Jean Bartell-Barber — the founder’s granddaughter — joins the company.
- 2015 | The first non-family CEO, former REI executive Brian Unmacht, takes the helm.
- 2020 | Bartell sells to Rite Aid for $95 million.
Use the slider below to see what the former location on Greenwood Avenue and 85th Street looked like in the 1950s and now.
Locally owned pharmacies
Support locally-owned pharmacies in Seattle. Here are just a couple of independent stores that have been around for decades:
- Bob Johnson’s Pharmacy, 1407 NW 85th St. | Founded in 1957, this is the bronze winner of Best in the PNW.
- Nguyen Pharmacy, 2120 Rainier Ave. S. #A | This locally-owned pharmacy was established in 1991.
- Katterman’s Pharmacy, 5400 Sand Point Way NE | Katterman’s joined the neighborhood in 1965.
