A popular retailer with hundreds of stores across the country has confirmed another closure despite pleas from a city.

Starting in the fall, local customers will have to buy their groceries elsewhere.

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The store – a Stop & Shop at 545 Lincoln Street in Worcester, Massachusetts – will close its doors permanently before November 2nd.

Confirmation of the Worcester closure came earlier this week in a statement to MassLive from Stephanie Cunha, the company’s regional retail communications director.

Cunha stressed that the decision was “final” and that local employees would have the option to transfer to the two remaining Stop & Shops in the city at 940 West Boylston Street and 949 Grafton Street.

“Retaining our team of outstanding employees has been a priority for us and affected employees at Stop & Shop stores will be offered other opportunities within the company,” Cunha told the outlet.

“Our Lincoln Street team will be relocated to neighbouring stores so customers will continue to see familiar faces when shopping at our other two Worcester stores.”

City officials tried desperately to keep the Stop & Shop open.

A private meeting was held with Stop & Shop representatives in July to discuss options for continuing store operations, but the sale went ahead nonetheless.

Cunha noted that while there is no confirmed closing date other than the November 2 deadline, customers will be notified weeks in advance “through store signage, the weekly newsletter and customer emails.”

The Worcester closure is one of eight Stop & Shops closing their doors in Massachusetts this year.

Others in Brockton, Halifax, Newton, Pembroke, Raynham, Shrewsbury and Springfield will also close by the end of 2024.

These eight cases add to a total of 32 in five U.S. states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

CUSTOMER CONCERNS

Customers reacted to Worcester’s closure on social media.

In response to MassLive’s Facebook post about the news, many pointed out the crime rate in the area.

“The city needs to work on improving this area or more businesses will continue to close,” one person wrote.

“Why should they stay open and pay to heat, cool and stock a building that has little turnover and a lot of theft?” said another.

“This is the second store in the area to close. Savers used to be a grocery store. At the time I heard there were too many losses due to theft,” commented a third.

Another customer expressed her disappointment, writing, “Sad that this is the only grocery store in this part of town.”

Others cited “competition” from other stores such as Aldi and Market Basket as the reason for the closure.

“Competition is good. Aldi took part and won. End of story,” said one shopper.

“Competition forced them to close. Market Basket, the new guy on the block, has better store features and cheaper prices. If they wanted to stay in the area, they gave up,” commented another.

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