If you’ve lived in the pocket where Kirkland meets Redmond long enough, you know the Bridle Trails Shopping Center isn't just a place to buy milk. It’s a vibe. It’s that specific corner where you might see someone in riding boots grabbing a coffee right next to a tech worker in a Patagonia vest. And for years, the anchor of that whole ecosystem was Bartell Drugs Bridle Trails.
But things have changed. Fast.
Honestly, walking into that parking lot at 6619 132nd Ave NE feels different now. The red cursive sign that defined Northwest retail for 135 years has mostly vanished from the landscape. While it’s easy to blame "the economy" and move on, the story of what happened to this specific location is a mix of corporate bankruptcy drama, a local identity crisis, and the reality of how we shop in 2026.
The Rite Aid Collapse and the CVS Takeover
Let’s get the messy corporate stuff out of the way first. You probably remember when Rite Aid bought Bartell Drugs back in 2020. People were worried then, and they were right to be. Rite Aid didn't just struggle; they imploded. After a first bankruptcy in 2023, the company hit a second, final wall in 2025.
It was a domino effect.
By September 27, 2025, the last standing Bartell-branded stores officially shuttered or transitioned. The Bridle Trails location—known to the company as Store #21—was caught in this massive liquidation. CVS Pharmacy eventually stepped in, but they weren't interested in keeping the "Bartell’s charm." They were interested in the prescription files and select assets.
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For the locals who used to visit Bartell Drugs Bridle Trails for more than just pills, the loss hit hard. This wasn't just a pharmacy; it was the place where you could find a Fremont Troll Chia Pet or a specific brand of local smoked salmon that no national chain would ever bother to stock.
Why Bridle Trails Felt Different
Most drugstores are sterile. They’ve got fluorescent lights that make everyone look like they’ve got the flu and aisles of plastic junk. Bartell’s was... weirder. In a good way.
Howie Cohen, a long-time manager and buyer for the chain, was the wizard behind those aisles. He’s the reason you’d find J.P. Patches dolls or custom "Bridle Trails" neighborhood mugs. He understood that Seattleites are a particular brand of quirky. We like Sasquatch. We like local art.
At the Bridle Trails location, the staff actually knew the regulars. It’s a neighborhood where people stay for decades. You’d have "the aunties" at the registers who would ask how your dog was doing because they probably saw you walking it toward the state park trails earlier that morning.
That kind of institutional memory doesn't just transfer over when a store gets rebranded or closed. When the prescription files moved to CVS, the soul of the store stayed behind in the old shelving.
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The Realities of the 132nd Ave NE Corner
The Bridle Trails Shopping Center has been through the wringer lately. Remember when the Red Apple closed? That was a blow. Then Bartell Drugs Bridle Trails followed suit.
There was a lot of talk about rent increases. The center is owned by Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation (ROIC), and as the Eastside grows, "small-town" rents are a thing of the past. If a store isn't pulling massive numbers, it’s gone.
- Convenience killed the pharmacy star: People started getting their meds through Amazon Pharmacy or picking them up while doing a massive haul at the Fred Meyer down the road.
- The "Modera" Factor: New developments like Modera Bridle Trails are bringing in hundreds of new apartments. The area is densifying.
- The Rebrand: Many former Bartell's customers now find themselves driving to the CVS on Juanita Drive or the Walgreens in Rose Hill.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Closure
A lot of folks think the store closed because it wasn't busy. That’s not really it. If you ever tried to get a flu shot there in October, you know it was packed.
The problem was the parent company's debt. Rite Aid’s multi-billion dollar legal battles and opioid settlements essentially dragged the healthy Bartell locations underwater with them. It was a "sinking ship" scenario where the most profitable neighborhood gems were sold off just to pay the creditors.
It’s also worth noting that the pharmacy industry as a whole is in a weird spot. Reimbursement rates from insurance companies have plummeted. Basically, pharmacies make almost no money on the actual drugs anymore; they have to make it up by selling you greeting cards, snacks, and overpriced soda.
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Navigating the New Landscape in Bridle Trails
If you’re still looking for that "neighborhood" feel, you’ve got to look a bit harder now. The Ace Hardware next door is still holding it down—bless them—and they’ve actually picked up some of the slack for local gifts and housewares that Bartell’s used to carry.
For those who had their prescriptions at Bartell Drugs Bridle Trails, here is the current 2026 reality:
- Prescription Transfers: Most records were moved to the nearest CVS or the "centralized" digital system. If you haven't checked in a while, call your doctor to confirm where your active refills are sitting.
- Vaccinations: You’re likely heading to the Safeway pharmacy or a clinic now. The walk-in convenience of the old Bartell’s corner is a memory.
- Local Goods: For those specific "Seattle-themed" gifts, check out local boutiques in downtown Kirkland or Redmond. The days of grabbing a Sasquatch ornament while picking up Ibuprofen are mostly over.
It’s sorta sad, honestly. There’s a certain "sameness" creeping into our suburbs. Every corner starts to look like every other corner in America. But the Bridle Trails community is resilient. Even without our favorite drugstore, the trails are still there, the horses are still there, and the neighbors are still talking.
If you’re missing the old Bartell’s, the best thing you can do is support the remaining independent or local-ish businesses in that plaza. Go to the hardware store. Buy a coffee. Remind the people working there that they matter to the neighborhood.
Next Steps for Locals:
Check your pill bottles. If they still say "Bartell Drugs," you’re likely due for a records update with your new provider. You can usually do this via the CVS or Walgreens app by scanning your old label, but a quick phone call to the pharmacist at the 132nd Ave NE location (or what's left of the service desk) is the safest bet to avoid a gap in your meds. If you're looking for that old-school gift selection, head over to the Ace Hardware in the same complex; they've expanded their "local" section significantly to fill the void.