NORWICH – Rite Aid’s purchase of Eckerd drug stores was completed this week, and even though the two stores in Norwich are located only a matter of feet away from one another, a company spokesperson has said that for the time being, both stores will continue to operate.

“At this point, both the stores will be run as Rite Aids,” said Jody Cook of Rite Aid’s media relations department. Cook explained that the point of the purchase was not to close stores, but for the Rite Aid chain to grow.

“Fewer than 200 stores will be affected, of the 1,854 stores in 18 states that are part of the buyout,” Cook said.

No time line has been set for Rite Aid to determine which stores will remain open and which will close, but Cook did say that the location of the stores would be the deciding factor.