The popular Thrifty’s brand of ice cream, sold at Rite Aid locations across the country, will still be around after the drugstore completes a merger with supermarket chain Albertsons, according to a Rite Aid company official.

“As we work toward completion of the proposed merger with Albertsons Companies, Inc., we remain excited about the significant opportunities the transaction offers to grow our own brand business, which includes Thrifty Ice Cream.” Ashley Flower, senior manager of public relations for the Rite Aid Corporation, said in an email reply to KHTS.

Some Santa Clarita residents were put at ease to know that the popular ice cream will continue to be sold in stores.

“As long as they keep the ice cream, that’s all that matters to me,” one Santa Clarita resident said as she shopped at the Rite Aid on Lyons Avenue in Newhall. “It’s the best ice cream around.”

In a February news release, Albertsons announced that the company would absorb Rite Aid, including the Thrifty brand and the El Monte factory where the ice cream is made.

Some ice cream connoisseurs are concerned that the iconic flavor of the ice cream may change, and the El Monte factory may be shut down, because Albertsons already owns two ice cream factories. Rite Aid representatives declined to comment on potential production changes, and Albertsons representatives were unable to be reached for comment before this article was published.

Since the 1940s, Thrifty Ice Cream has been an iconic brand in Southern California, according to Flower.

“Thrifty Ice Cream has been a cornerstone of the Rite Aid customer experience across the region, for customers young and young at heart,” she said.

The combined company is expected to be comprised of leadership from both companies and will be dual headquartered in Boise, Idaho, and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, according to a news release on the merger from Albertsons. The name of the merged company will be determined once the process is complete.

Ed. Note: KHTS reached out to the Albertsons corporate office, but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.

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