News Summary
Crown Coast Pharmacy, owned by community favorite Arash Kohan, is set to open at 928 Orange Ave. in Coronado, following the closure of Rite Aid. Kohan aims to provide essential compounding services and uphold exceptional customer service, as he and his team prepare to serve the community. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support the pharmacy’s build-out, showcasing strong community backing.
Coronado is set to see the opening of a new pharmacy, Crown Coast Pharmacy, by Arash Kohan, who has been a familiar face in the community’s pharmaceutical landscape for the past 15 years. Crown Coast Pharmacy will open at 928 Orange Ave. and is expected to be operational before the end of the year.
Kohan, who graduated from Wingate University School of Pharmacy in North Carolina, is deeply rooted in Coronado, having returned to the area after initially moving away because he missed the beach. Being the owner and pharmacist in charge, he will lead a team that includes pharmacy technicians Elsie Molenaar and Ryan Hylton.
The pharmacy’s inception comes on the heels of the recent closure of Rite Aid, where Kohan worked for many years, ascending to the role of pharmacy manager. The Rite Aid location faced community unease regarding its business viability in recent years, compounded by Walgreens opening across the street in November 2012. Both pharmacies had managed to coexist until Walgreens announced plans to buy Rite Aid in a $17.2 billion deal in 2015, which ultimately fell through.
In August 2023, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy, leading to poorly stocked shelves at the Coronado store. By May 2025, it was reported that Rite Aid planned to close all its California stores following a second bankruptcy filing. Kohan expressed feeling blindsided by the closure, having envisioned a long-term future at the Rite Aid location. The store officially closed its doors at the end of July.
Realizing that no one would take over the Rite Aid store, Kohan and Molenaar began to explore options for creating a new pharmacy. Initially, Kohan had not intended to operate a pharmacy; however, his strong relationships with the community and patients prompted him to move forward with Crown Coast Pharmacy. Customers previously appreciated the efficiency and friendliness of Kohan’s team at Rite Aid, and he aims to offer the same level of customer service at his new establishment.
Crown Coast Pharmacy plans to provide essential compounding services that are currently not available on the island. Kohan collaborated with local real estate agent Carrie Duda to find a prime location for the pharmacy, ultimately selecting the former Wine a Bit space due to its visibility and proximity to his former workplace.
As part of the pharmacy’s preparations for opening, Kohan has set an objective to launch by mid-November or December and has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise $40,000 for building out the pharmacy. As of the latest reports, over $10,900 has been raised, showcasing community support. Kohan is actively keeping the public updated through the Crown Coast Pharmacy RX newsletter and is navigating local permitting processes with the help of city officials, especially Damion Nowak.
Highlighting the significance of his new pharmacy, Kohan notes the importance of being ready to serve the community, particularly as the cold season approaches. The support from the Coronado community has been strong, with many residents providing both encouragement and financial assistance to help make Crown Coast Pharmacy a reality.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Coronado Bridge Identified as High-Risk for Vessel Collisions
Sharp Coronado Hospital Expands Pharmacy Services
New Pharmacy to Open in Coronado After Rite Aid Closure
Additional Resources
- Crown Coast Pharmacy: Neighborhood Care for the Community
- Google Search: Crown Coast Pharmacy
- Former Rite Aid Pharmacist Aims to Bring Independent Pharmacy to Coronado
- Wikipedia: Pharmacy
- CHS Girls Volleyball Hosts Annual Dig Pink Night
- Google News: CHS Girls Volleyball
- La Corriente to Bring Coastal Mexican Seafood to CHA Museum Café
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coronado
- Shark Incident Closes Coronado Beach for 48 Hours
- Google Scholar: Shark Incident Coronado Beach
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
