Shoppers are upset about the sudden news that a popular discount supermarket will soon close its doors for good.
The Save-A-Lot store in Rockford, Illinois, announced it will permanently close on May 20.
Store Closure Leaves Community Stranded
Customers learned of the unexpected store closure from a notice on the door directing them to visit another branch for groceries.
The Save-A-Lot in Rockford, Illinois, has been a community anchor since it opened in February 2015, especially after a nearby Schnucks store was closed. It provided not only jobs but also affordable shopping options for locals.
With the store shutting down, residents are worried about the limited alternatives available. "We have no choices," one resident expressed. The community fears the impact will be severe, especially on the east side of town.
"This is going to be a hard hit for the people in this neighborhood...this community...and this side of town...we have nothing," a shopper told WREX.
Customers are particularly frustrated with the higher prices at other local stores. "I'm not happy because they are a less expensive store; you get more for your money," explained a shopper. Compared to Save-A-Lot, Schnucks and Aldi are seen as more expensive options.
With the nearest grocery stores being Aldi, approximately two miles away, and Schnucks, two and a half miles distant, options are scarce. "We have dollar stores - they have competitive prices, but they don't carry a lot of the essentials; you can't feed a family on that. You need stores like this," said one shopper.
The sense of loss is palpable among the locals. "I feel like we're a dry county when it comes to groceries, and it's really hard," another added. "I'm kind of heartbroken about it. It's a shame it's going to hurt a lot of people."
Future Challenges for New Store at Alpine Mall
Residents are cautioning future businesses replacing the closing Save-A-Lot store about the low customer turnout they've observed.
"There's not a lot of people here," one shopper noted, pointing out the sparse daily traffic of "only like 4-5 cars here every day." She predicted, "It's going to end up shutting down," referring to the challenges faced by the Save-A-Lot store.
Despite these concerns, Alpine Village Shopping Mall's management is optimistic. "It's a good location," said Ned Brickman, founder of Midland Management LLC, which owns the mall.
He spoke to the Rockford Register Star about future prospects, suggesting, "If we have something more specific that can serve the demographics here, it should do very well."
Brickman also mentioned that his Milwaukee-based company is discussing potentially moving into the space with four ethnic grocery stores.
For now, shoppers affected by the closure are advised to visit the other Save-A-Lot location on the west side of Rockford, which is six miles away.
With the Alpine Save A Lot nearing its final weeks, residents are eager for another budget-friendly store to fill the void.
Meanwhile, another major retail blow hits the Fair Park neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a local Walmart is scheduled to shut down next month.
The Walmart store will cease operations on May 17, resulting in 105 job losses. This closure adds to shoppers' growing concern about the decreasing number of affordable shopping options in their community.
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