Walk through the doors of the Rite Aid on Mast Rd in Goffstown, New Hampshire, and you're stepping into more than just a place to grab a discounted bag of pretzels or a bottle of ibuprofen. It’s a landmark. Located right at 553 Mast Road, this specific pharmacy has survived a retail apocalypse that’s currently swallowing the American drugstore industry whole. Honestly, most people just call it the Pinardville Rite Aid. It’s a staple of that quirky, bustling stretch of Route 114 that connects the quiet suburban life of Goffstown to the gritty, urban energy of West Manchester.
Retail is dying. Or at least, that’s what the headlines scream every time another chain announces a bankruptcy filing. Rite Aid Corporation filed for Chapter 11 in late 2023, and since then, the list of store closures has grown longer than a Sunday CVS receipt. Yet, the Mast Rd location remains a survivor. It sits in a high-traffic corridor, surrounded by local favorites like the Jacques Flower Shop and various small eateries that define the Pinardville identity.
What’s Actually Happening at Rite Aid Mast Rd?
If you’ve been following the news, you know Rite Aid has been through the ringer. The company faced massive debt, declining sales, and a mountain of lawsuits related to opioid prescriptions. This led to the closure of over 500 stores nationwide. New Hampshire wasn't spared. We saw stores in Manchester, Londonderry, and Allenstown shutter their windows and leave behind those "Space Available" signs that make a neighborhood feel a little bit emptier.
But Mast Rd stayed. Why?
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Location matters. In the world of commercial real estate, this spot is gold. It’s positioned perfectly for commuters heading into Manchester for work or students heading toward Saint Anselm College. If you’re coming from the Goffstown side, it’s the last convenient stop before you hit the dense traffic of the city. If you’re leaving Manchester, it’s the first place to pull over for a prescription refill without having to navigate a massive mall parking lot.
The pharmacy industry is cutthroat right now. Rite Aid is fighting a two-front war against Walgreens and CVS, while also trying to fend off Amazon Pharmacy and Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs. The fact that the Mast Rd store continues to operate suggests its "script count"—the number of prescriptions filled—is high enough to justify the overhead. It serves a dense population of elderly residents and families who have used this specific pharmacy for decades. Loyalty is a rare currency in 2026, but in Pinardville, it still counts for something.
The Survival of the Neighborhood Pharmacy
There’s a specific vibe to this store. It’s not a "super-store" like the massive CVS locations you see in bigger cities. It’s tighter. More compact. It feels like a neighborhood shop that just happens to have a corporate logo on the sign.
The staff here often recognize the regulars. That’s a big deal when you’re dealing with health insurance headaches or trying to find a specific brand of cough syrup that isn't out of stock. When a Rite Aid closes, the "files" (your medical history and prescriptions) usually get transferred to a nearby Walgreens. For many people on Mast Rd, that would mean a much longer drive or a switch to a pharmacy where they are just a number.
Understanding the Rite Aid Bankruptcy Context
To understand why people are constantly searching for updates on the Rite Aid Mast Rd location, you have to look at the corporate mess upstairs. Rite Aid reached a deal in mid-2024 to emerge from bankruptcy as a private company. This was a massive move. It allowed them to shed billions in debt and, crucially, exit some of the most expensive leases they were stuck in.
The Mast Rd lease was clearly one they wanted to keep.
- Financial Restructuring: The company cut its debt by roughly $2 billion.
- Ownership Change: They are now mostly owned by their lenders, including firms like Heyman Investment Associates.
- Store Footprint: The total count dropped from over 2,000 stores to around 1,300.
Basically, if a store is still open today, it’s because it’s making money. The "dead weight" has already been trimmed. If you’re a local shopper, this is actually good news. It means the Rite Aid you visit isn't just treading water; it’s part of the core foundation of the "New Rite Aid."
Is the Mast Rd Pharmacy Safe Long-Term?
Nothing is guaranteed in retail. Not anymore.
However, the 553 Mast Rd location has a few things going for it that other closed stores didn't. First, competition in the immediate vicinity is manageable. While there are other pharmacies in the general area, the specific "walkability" or "quick-turn" access of the Pinardville strip gives it a localized monopoly for people living in the surrounding apartment complexes and residential side streets.
There’s also the Saint Anselm factor. Having a major college just a mile away provides a consistent stream of foot traffic for "convenience" items. Think dorm room snacks, basic toiletries, and the occasional late-night flu medicine run. Colleges are stable anchors for local businesses.
Surprising Facts About the Pinardville Retail Scene
Pinardville is an unincorporated village within Goffstown. It’s got a weird, wonderful history. It was named after Edmond Pinard, and it has always been a hub for the French-Canadian community. This history is reflected in the businesses along Mast Rd. When a chain like Rite Aid stays in a place like this, it’s often because they’ve managed to integrate into the local routine.
It’s not just about the pills. The Mast Rd store is a primary spot for:
- UPS Access Point Services: A huge driver of foot traffic for people returning Amazon packages.
- Vaccination Clinics: During the height of flu season or COVID spikes, this location is a major hub for the Goffstown community.
- Local Grocery Needs: In a pinch, it’s the closest thing to a grocery store for some of the residents nearby who don't want to drive all the way to the Hannaford on the other side of town.
The Problem With "Pharmacy Deserts"
When pharmacies like Rite Aid close, they create "pharmacy deserts." This is a legitimate public health crisis. If the Mast Rd store were to disappear, residents—especially those without reliable transportation—would have to travel significantly further for life-saving medications.
In Manchester, we’ve already seen what happens when these stores leave. The remaining pharmacies get overwhelmed. Wait times for prescriptions can jump from 15 minutes to three days. Pharmacists, who are already burnt out, end up quitting, leading to even shorter hours. It’s a vicious cycle. The continued existence of Rite Aid on Mast Rd prevents this "overflow" effect from hitting Goffstown even harder.
What To Do if You Use This Location
If you’re a regular at the Rite Aid on Mast Rd, you’ve probably noticed the shelves looking a bit thin sometimes. This is a common symptom of the supply chain shifts happening during the company's restructuring. Don't panic. It doesn't necessarily mean the store is closing next week. It usually means the warehouse delivery schedules are being optimized.
Pro-tips for Mast Rd Shoppers:
- Use the App: Seriously. The Rite Aid app is the most reliable way to check if your prescription is actually ready before you deal with Mast Rd traffic.
- Check Hours: Many Rite Aid locations have scaled back their pharmacy counter hours due to the national pharmacist shortage. The Mast Rd location is usually consistent, but it’s worth a call if you’re heading there after 6:00 PM.
- Transferring Records: If you’re worried about future closures, you can always ask for a hard copy of your prescriptions or have them "on file" at a secondary location. But for now, there’s no immediate reason to jump ship.
The Future of Mast Rd Retail
The stretch of road where Rite Aid sits is changing. We’re seeing more redevelopment in the Pinardville area. Newer apartments and refurbished storefronts are popping up. This usually drives up commercial rents. Rite Aid's ability to stay at 553 Mast Rd will depend on whether their restructured lease can withstand the rising value of the land it sits on.
Investors and locals alike are watching this corner. If Rite Aid were to ever vacate, that lot is large enough to become almost anything—a high-end coffee shop, a small medical clinic, or even multi-family housing. But for the seniors living in the nearby "Village at Perley’s Corner," the loss of the pharmacy would be a massive blow.
Actionable Steps for Goffstown Residents
Stay informed but don't obsess over every corporate filing. Rite Aid has finished its primary "closure" phase. The stores remaining are the ones they believe can be profitable in the 2020s and beyond.
If you want to support the longevity of the Mast Rd location:
- Transfer your "front of store" shopping there. Buying your milk, eggs, or seasonal decor at the pharmacy helps their bottom line more than just filling a low-margin generic prescription.
- Sign up for the Rite Aid Rewards program. It’s free, and it gives the company data showing that there is a loyal, active customer base in the 03045 zip code.
- Be patient with the staff. The workers at the Mast Rd store have been through a lot of uncertainty over the last two years. A little kindness goes a long way in keeping local retail staff from jumping to another industry.
The Rite Aid on Mast Rd is a survivor. It’s a testament to the fact that even in an age of digital everything, there is no substitute for a physical store on a busy corner that people know and trust. For now, the lights are on, the pharmacists are busy, and the Pinardville community has one less thing to worry about. Keep an eye on local business permits, but rest easy knowing this location is currently a cornerstone of the "New Rite Aid" strategy.