STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — Walgreens’ announcement that it will buy rival Rite Aid for $9.41 billion in cash has many people worried about the fate of their favorite Thrifty ice cream.

The outcry is blowing up social media Tuesday amid word that the deal would create a drugstore giant with nearly 18,000 stores around the world.

People took to Twitter to voice their concerns that the purchase could mean Rite Aid’s signature ice cream will go away.

More importantly, what does Walgreen's buy-out of Rite Aid mean for the future of Thrifty's ice cream? — Anne Hoppus (@annemcmurray) October 27, 2015

#Walgreens buys #RiteAid for 17.2 billion dollars. The question is: what will happen to Thrifty Ice Cream? 🍦 — Natali Castillo (@_NataliCastillo) October 28, 2015

Are they gonna keep the Thrifty ice cream counter or what, that's all I care about in this Walgreens/Rite Aid deal. https://t.co/K5folufJpw — Gabe Meline (@gmeline) October 28, 2015

Walgreens is buying rite aid and my coworkers concern is whether thrifty ice cream will still exist. Lol — Griselda❤Å⚾ (@xoxogriss) October 28, 2015

Walgreens buys Rite-Aid! Does that mean Thrifty Ice Cream? Don't care about the drugs, Chocolate Malted Crunch is my drug! — Andy Taylor (@techtalkradio) October 28, 2015

@Walgreens If anything happens to thrifty icecream especially chocolate malted krunch with this whole @riteaid buyout… Riots will occur — Gelena Correia (@GelenaCorreia) October 28, 2015

Thrifty ice cream is made in El Monte.

According to Rite Aid’s video on Youtube, the ice cream was first sold in Thrifty drug stores in the 1930’s. More than 60 years later, Rite Aid bought Thrifty, but kept the ice cream, which has been popular and nostalgic for shoppers.

“It’s like that old penny ice cream, or ten-cent ice cream back in the days,” one shopper said.

CBS Los Angeles asked a Walgreens spokesman about the fate of Rite Aid’s signature ice cream. He released a statement in part: “Working together, decisions will be made over time regarding the integration of the two companies.”

So with no definitive answer, shoppers are left questioning how much longer their favorite flavors will be around.

There are other places to buy Thrifty’s ice cream. But the shoppers at Rite Aid in Studio City said they like the convenience of their neighborhood pharmacy.