A well-liked grocery store chain in North Carolina is permanently closing one of its stores. The Carlie C's IGA store in Raleigh shared the news only two days before they started closing it down.
Local Grocery Store Closures Announced
According to AOL, the Carlie C's grocery store in Garner has recently closed its doors, following the earlier shutdown of another branch on College Street in Clinton. A spokesperson from the company noted that both locations were rentals, which played a significant role in their closure.
The now-closed Clinton store had an alternative site nearby, but the situation in Garner is less favorable. The nearest Carlie C's is about 10 miles away on New Bern Avenue in Raleigh.
Despite these closures, the company's representative was optimistic, highlighting that these two incidents do not indicate a broader trend. Carlie C's has expanded over the past three years, opening eight new locations.
"Our main motive is to ensure people have access to groceries," said Allen, emphasizing the company's commitment to serving the community. Carlie C's currently operates five other Triangle stores: Raleigh, Durham, Zebulon, Smithfield, and Benson. However, the company has not disclosed plans to open or close other locations.
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Carlie C's IGA: Community Reacts
A popular grocery chain known for its local roots and with over 30 stores across the Carolinas is facing the closure of one of its outlets, leaving customers dismayed.
Concerns arise among patrons regarding the sudden shutdown, with speculation about the landlord's role in terminating the lease.
Commenting on the situation, one user questions the landlord's motives, drawing parallels to the recent closure of Ragazzi's, another establishment.
Expressing sadness over the loss, another user highlights the impact the closure will have on the affected area.
The closure news came from the marketing director, Malia Allen, on April 18, as she informed The News & Observer.
Actions followed swiftly as the store commenced its shutdown process, clearing out inventory and offering discounts on groceries from April 22 onwards.
The News & Observer reported that the closure timeline hinges on the pace of selling off groceries and inventory.
"We managed to find new roles within the company for all our full-time staff, or at least offered them positions," stated Allen. "We also kept on board as many part-time employees as possible. Ensuring our team is looked after is a top priority for Carlie C's."
Despite the setback, Carlie C's IGA remains dedicated to its staff and the community it serves. The supermarket chain has assured that all full-time employees affected by the closure will be offered jobs at other locations.
Carlie C's IGA is optimistic about continuing to serve its customers at nearby stores, including New Bern Avenue in Raleigh and Angier.
A Facebook user highlighted that this is the second such closure, prompting Carlie C's to confirm that its College Street location was also shuttered earlier this year for similar leasing issues.
According to The News & Observer, the store emphasized that there are no current plans to close additional stores.
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