Beloved Boston Shop To Close + In-Person Shopping Slows + Pharmacy Closures: MA Business Week

MASSACHUSETTS — From the closing of a major pharmacy chain to a popular store in Boston shutting its doors for good, it's been a busy week in Massachusetts business news.

Here's a look at Patch's weekly Massachusetts business roundup.

Major Pharmacy Chain Closes

Rite Aid, one of the nation's largest pharmacy chains, announced that it is now defunct. All of the company's stores have now closed, five months after it declared its second bankruptcy in two years.

As recently as May of this year, Rite Aid had over 70 locations still operating in New England, including four in Massachusetts.

Popular Outdoor Retailer To Close Only Boston Store

A popular outdoor equipment store, REI Co-op, has confirmed that it plans to close its only Boston location next year, according to Boston Business Journal.

The location, which is REI's only store in Boston, is located at 401 Park Dr. in Fenway. BBJ reported that the chain is facing declining sales.

Small Businesses Saw Fewer Visitors

A new study showed that foot traffic to small businesses in Massachusetts fell more than one percent month over month.

Fiserv's September Small Business Index also showed a notable slowdown in in-person shopping over the past year, as foot traffic declined 7.8% from September 2024 to September 2025.

MA Children's Hospital Ranks Among Best In The U.S.

Boston Children’s Hospital was named among the best in the country in a new U.S. News & World Report ranking released Tuesday. The hospital is ranked in the top 50 nationally for behavioral and mental health. In addition, the institution ranked in the top 10 in multiple other categories.

More Massachusetts Business News This Week:

• Chick-fil-A To Open Boston Logan Airport Location
• Salem Halloween Amid Government Shutdown
• Some Boston Neighborhoods Are Actually Hotter Than Others. Here's Why.
• Cape Cod Bank Completes Rebrand, New Chapter After Century In Business
• Award-Winning Chocolate Maker Calls Sudbury Barn Home
  
• Central MA Shopping Plaza Sold For $10M
• More Than A Dozen Central MA Nonprofits Benefit From Webster Five Foundation Grants
  
• Provincetown LGBTQ+ Community Raises Over $200K For Outer Cape Health Services
• Metrowest Cannabis Dispensary Set For Opening Day
• Cape Cod Resort To Host Oktoberfest Celebration
• Cape Cod Resort Partners With Area Foundation For Unique Room
• Security Overhaul Completed At Tewksbury Hospital
  
• Burlington Bakery, Cafe Makes National Top 10 List