‘My family’s history’: Spike O’Neill shares heartbreak over Rite Aid bankruptcy

Rite Aid is closing or selling all its stores as it files for bankruptcy, citing economic challenges such as rising supply costs, tariffs, and a weak economy. And as Rite Aid owns Bartell Drugs, the future for the local chain isn’t looking bright.

The news saddens Spike O’Neill, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, who grew up with two Bartells nearby.

“They were a regular pharmacy. Wonderful people did great work. Helped my family navigate all of our insurance changes and medical situations, and growth. God bless them,” he said.

Spike said that after Bartell Drugs was bought by Rite Aid, the staff he grew up with was shifted to Rite Aid.

“The thing that Rite Aid did that was so wonderful was they brought the entirety of the pharmacy staff, doctors, and assistants all, kept them all, and brought them to my Rite Aid,” he said.”So that my family’s long history with physicians and care providers, and insurance companies, was intact. I didn’t have to reeducate these people and go round and round again and again.”

Spike said “the real heartbreak” is that Rite Aid is going through a second bankruptcy and questioned how the company was approved to buy Bartell Drugs.

Online shopping partly to blame for Rite Aid collapse?

Jake Skorheim, co-host of “Jake and Spike,” said the loss may be partly due to consumers shopping online.

“My wife buys everything online. If she wants something, she wants a hair product or makeup, she puts it into her phone, and by lunchtime, it’s on our front porch,” he shared.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.