Kowalski's Markets, a well-known family-owned grocery store, is set to close its Eagan location for good this weekend. The store, located on Diffley Road, has been a part of the community for 16 years. According to an announcement from the company, the supermarket doors will close permanently on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Company officials revealed that the Eagan store had struggled financially and had not made a profit. The decision to close the store is part of the chain's efforts to restructure and focus on more profitable locations. The closure marks the end of Kowalski's long-standing presence in the Eagan area.
Kowalski's Eagan Closure: Employees Retain Jobs
As Kowalski's Markets prepares to close its Eagan location, the company has assured that employees will not lose their jobs. Instead, they are offered positions within Kowalski's at their current pay and benefits.
For loyal customers of the Eagan store, the nearest alternative will be the original Kowalski's on Grand Ave in St. Paul. This location holds a special place in the company's history, as it was the first store opened by founders Jim and Mary Anne Kowalski in the early 1980s, starting with a Red Owl.
Kris Kowalski Christiansen, the CEO of Kowalski's, expressed the difficulty of the decision in a recent news release. "We do not take this decision lightly," Christiansen said. "For 16 years, we've been a proud part of the Eagan community, building strong relationships and friendships. Our staff has always cherished our Eagan customers. To everyone who considered the Eagan market 'their Kowalski's,' my family and I extend our heartfelt thanks."
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Following Kowalski's market closure in Eagan, residents must travel about 11 miles to find the nearest Kowalski's store. The closest location is on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, a historical site where Mary Ann and Jim Kowalski started the company in 1983.
Currently, including the Eagan store, Kowalski's Markets, headquartered in Woodbury, operates 11 grocery stores across the Twin Cities metro area.
The company is owned by Mary Ann Kowalski, with her daughter Kris Kowalski Christiansen leading as the chief executive officer.
In their announcement regarding the closure, the company expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to their dedicated Eagan customers.
"We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause our loyal Eagan customers," stated the release, acknowledging the impact of the store's closing on the local community.
Kowalski's Expands with Two New Stores
The well-known grocery chain Kowalski's Markets is set to expand its presence in the Twin Cities area despite closing its Eagan store. The company plans to open a new store in Southdale Center, Edina, later this year, followed by another in Ridgedale Center, Minnetonka, in 2025.
After the Eagan location's closure, Kowalski's will operate ten stores, which is expected to increase to twelve within the next two years. These new stores are part of the chain's strategy to grow its footprint in prominent Twin Cities shopping malls.
A special grand opening ceremony is scheduled for April 30 at the new Southdale Center in Edina. This store will occupy 34,000-square-foot space in the former Herberger's department store at the mall's southwest corner.
Further expanding its reach, Kowalski's is slated to open another store in 2025 at the Ridgedale mall in Minnetonka. These openings represent a significant step in the company's growth strategy in the region.
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