Philly-area businesses that closed their doors in 2025 are highlighted in a recent review of market challenges and closures.
In 2025, numerous beloved establishments in the Philadelphia area ceased operations, significantly altering the local business landscape. Among the notable closures were retail and dining institutions that had been part of the community fabric for years.
Rite Aid, a familiar name in pharmacy retail, filed for its second bankruptcy in less than two years, leading to the closure of all its locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This development affected thousands of employees and left many communities with diminished access to essential pharmacy services. At the time of its bankruptcy announcement, Rite Aid was operating roughly 1,000 stores nationwide, with approximately 100 located in the Philadelphia region. Reports indicated that the pharmacy chain had struggled with empty shelves and inadequate stock even after emerging from its previous bankruptcy in September 2024.
As Rite Aid’s doors closed, former employees, such as Angela Gardin from Queen Village, recounted emotional farewells with regular customers. The overall impact of these closures extended beyond mere business loss, exacerbating challenges for lower-income residents who relied on public transportation for pharmacy access.
In a surprising turn of events, Iron Hill Brewery, well-regarded for its contribution to Philadelphia’s craft beer scene, announced the abrupt closure of all its locations by late September 2025. Once a pioneering brand with nearly 30 years of history, the brewery’s bankruptcy spotlighted financial turmoil, reporting over million owed to creditors and just 5,000 available in cash reserves. Following the closures, 16 locations, including outlets in Center City and West Chester, became vacant. Discussions for potential resurrection of some sites under new management are underway, following a bankruptcy judge’s approval of an acquisition plan by former BBQ chain CEO Jeff Crivello.
The closures were not limited to these two major businesses. Other notable casualties included Maxwell Taxi Cab Co., a staple in Lower Merion for over 50 years, and the Gladwyne Market, a community grocery store. Additionally, the Bistro at Cherry Hill, operational for 27 years, closed unexpectedly amidst financial and legal turmoil affecting its president.
As the region witnesses these significant shifts, the absence of these establishments is felt across communities, raising concerns over employment and the accessibility of essential services. The economic landscape in the Philadelphia area is poised for continued change as both local businesses and consumers adapt to this new reality.
These closures underline the broader challenges facing retail and service industries in the present economic climate, leaving questions about the future of brick-and-mortar establishments within the Philadelphia area.
