The owner of a Save A Lot store has been told they must leave their location by Thursday afternoon, jeopardizing the grocery store's future.
Workers at the store in Hubbard, Ohio, nearly 80 miles southeast of Cleveland, are facing job losses and urgently need the store to stay open.
Employees Shocked by Sudden Closure News
The grocery store staff was surprised earlier this week when they were suddenly told that their workplace would have to close by 3 p.m. on Thursday.
On Wednesday, employees of the Save-A-Lot in Hubbard made a last-ditch effort to keep their store open and save their livelihoods. The store faces imminent closure at the plaza's end on West Liberty Street.
Ron Harris, who manages the night shift at Save A Lot, learned that the eviction was related to expensive roof repairs.
Local CBS affiliate WKBN shared Harris's insight into the issue: the repair cost was over $200,000. Harris explained the landlord's expectations, saying, "He expects the business owner to foot the bill for it, even though he's the one who owns the building."
The Trumbull County Auditor's website identifies McConnell Enterprises LLC as the property owner. This week, a representative from the company delivered an eviction notice to the store. Ron Harris mentioned that they do not have to undertake the roof repairs according to their lease agreement.
First News' attempts to get a comment from McConnell Enterprises have gone unanswered, yet time is rapidly running out.
Local NBC affiliate WFMJ reports that Donn McConnell, the landlord, wasn't eager to evict the store, as it has managed to pay its rent in full.
Nevertheless, Save A Lot's payments have only covered maintenance costs, not allowing for additional expenses.
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Community Faces Loss of Beloved Grocery Store
The unexpected shutdown of the grocery store will affect not only the employees but also the customers who depend on it for affordable food options.
Lorraine Adams, a cashier, expressed her sadness over the store's imminent closure. "The store is loved. It's a great store. It's the cleanest store in town. It's the most affordable store in town," she remarked.
The night shift manager, Ron Harris, highlighted the impact on the community, saying, "There's going to be a lot of people who miss this place."
Mary Tyson, a loyal customer since the store opened in 2011, shared her appreciation for the staff's friendliness. "You can ask them anything, or they'll come and show you if you're looking for anything," Tyson noted.
Adams added, "You have your regular customers, and they come in and joke with you and 'Hey, where have you been?' 'How was your surgery?' 'How's your recovery going?' You have familiar faces. It's like family."
Harris emphasized the mutual dependence between the store and the community. "We would like to keep the store open for the community, for the people that come in here that need us, we need them," he said.
Save A Lot stands as a major discount grocery chain in the United States, renowned for its commitment to affordable quality. The store boasts fresh produce, in-store cut meat, and exclusive award-winning brands alongside popular national brands, all aimed at offering significant savings on groceries every day.
Beyond just savings, Save A Lot plays a crucial role in its communities, actively engaging in charitable acts, fundraisers, and local events, highlighting its dedication to making a positive impact.
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