A POPULAR grocery store chain announced that one of its stores is set to close due to supposed theft and violence.
Stewart’s Shops will close one of its locations in Albany, New York on Thursday 16 November.
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Customers at the store on Central Avenue and Manning Boulevard received leaflets that announced and explained the closure.
In the leaflet, the company attributed the store shutting “to an increase in thefts and threats of violence.”
In a press release, the company added: “This unfortunate decision is driven by the need to ensure the safety of everyone who steps inside a Stewart’s.
“The decision was made as similar dynamics are prompting a growing number of national retailers to shut down stores in cities across the country,” according to The Daily Gazette.
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Stewart’s Shops also claimed that the number and severity of incidents had increased over the past two years.
The store’s public relations manager Robin Cooper shared an example of an incident that allegedly occurred at the location.
Cooper said: “About two weeks ago someone came in the store and started filling a duffel bag of merchandise.
“One of the shop partners approached him asked the person to pay for the merchandise and ended up a coffee pot was thrown across the store.
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“We can’t risk the safety of either our partners or our customers who shop with us.”
The chain, with hundreds of stores across New York and Vermont, said this was the first store they closed down due to supposed crime.
They confirmed that the staff at the closing location have all accepted positions at other Stewart’s Shops stores.
Shoppers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on this news.
One person said: “Thank you for thinking about the safety of the community and your dedicated employees.”
Another commenter said: “That is sad but necessary for their employees and customers.
“Also for the store.”
https://www.the-sun.com/news/9640641/stewarts-shops-grocery-chain-forced-close-store-albany-thefts/