Introduction to Thrifty Ice Cream’s Uncertain Future
After Rite Aid announced in early May that it’s closing hundreds of stores after filing for bankruptcy, ice cream lovers around the country have started to panic about the availability of Thrifty Ice Cream. The drugstore chain may not be the only store to sell Thrifty Ice Cream, but other locations are not quite as plentiful.
The History of Thrifty Ice Cream
The ice cream brand got its start in a small factory in West Hollywood, California, in 1940. For years, the ice cream was sold by the cone at a counter at the flagship Thrifty Drug Store in downtown Los Angeles. Eventually, the drugstore’s shoppers could also purchase the ice cream in cartons to take home and enjoy. By the 1970s, Thrifty Ice Cream had developed a "cult status" on the West Coast, boasts its website with celebrities name-dropping the brand.
Rite Aid Acquisition and Bankruptcy
Rite Aid acquired Thrifty Ice Cream in 1996, according to the Los Angeles Times. Some of the drugstore’s locations even kept with tradition to continue serving Thrifty Ice Cream in cones at ice cream counters. But now, as one of Rite Aid’s assets, Thrifty Ice Cream will be for sale at a June 20 auction as part of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings, according to Reuters.
What’s Next for Thrifty Ice Cream?
So what does it mean for Thrifty Ice Cream’s future? TODAY.com reached out to Thrifty Ice Cream and Rite Aid to get the scoop, but hasn’t yet heard back. As of May 30, the Thrifty website says its ice cream is available in the freezer section of "favorite retailers," including Rite Aid, Albertsons, and Vons. The ice cream can also be found "at scoop counters" across California and Arizona, along with a "growing number of regions in the U.S. and Mexico."
Fan Reaction and Support
As for those ice cream-loving Zillennials, they are leaning on one another in their most desperate hour. "If we work some Zillennial magic, we can save the ice cream," one wrote to boost spirits. "Thrifty has hands down the BEST ice cream and has always stayed affordable!!!" someone else chimed in. Others waxed nostalgic while simultaneously suggesting that miracles are possible.
Conclusion
The future of Thrifty Ice Cream remains uncertain as Rite Aid closes hundreds of stores and files for bankruptcy. While the ice cream brand has a loyal following, its availability may be limited in the coming months. Fans are holding out hope that the brand will be saved, and some are even suggesting that they can make a difference through their support.
FAQs
- Q: What is happening to Thrifty Ice Cream?
A: Thrifty Ice Cream’s future is uncertain due to Rite Aid’s bankruptcy and store closures. - Q: Where can I still buy Thrifty Ice Cream?
A: Thrifty Ice Cream is available in the freezer section of some retailers, including Albertsons and Vons, and at scoop counters in California, Arizona, and other regions. - Q: Can Thrifty Ice Cream be saved?
A: Fans are holding out hope that the brand can be saved, but the outcome is uncertain. - Q: What can I do to support Thrifty Ice Cream?
A: You can continue to purchase Thrifty Ice Cream from available retailers and show your support on social media to help raise awareness about the brand’s uncertain future.
