Watch above: The closing of Shop Easy spotlights the lack of grocery stores in Saskatoon’s downtown core. Jacqueline Wilson shares what effect this will have for local residents.
SASKATOON – City Park is about to lose its only grocery store. Loblaws, which owns the Shop Easy store on 7th Avenue, confirmed it is closing it at the end of October.
In an email to Global News, Loblaws spokesperson Catherine Thomas said the former Lucky Dollar store is unprofitable, thus the decision to shut the doors.
“While the decision to close the Shop Easy was not an easy one, unfortunately this store has been unprofitable for many years, and we don’t expect that to turn around,” wrote Thomas.
“For the approximately 15 employees of the store, we are committed to fairness. We have provided significant notice and generous severance to help with the transition.”
READ MORE: Loblaw closing 52 stores across its sprawling retail empire
Signs are up at the store stating all stock is 10 per cent off, excluding pharmacy and tobacco items.
A petition to save the store has been started by Jane Reibin, who works across the street at City Perks and is a regular shopper at Shop Easy.
“I hope Loblaws sees it and sees the impact it has on the community,” said Reibin.
“Getting new people involved maybe something new can come out of it. If not another grocery store, something that will benefit the community.”
As of Thursday afternoon, almost 200 people had signed the petition.
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The closing of Shop Easy will pose a problem for area residents who are unable to drive.
Dr. Ryan Meili, a family physician and a member of Upstream, a company focusing on creating a healthy society, believes it will have a bigger impact on residents than most people think.
“Anytime you see a grocery store closing, you have to think of the community,” said Meili. “This place is a food desert.”
It’s an issue one city councillor said needs to be tackled.
“We have to crack the code on grocery stores and we need to figure out a way to make grocery stores work,” stated Ward 6 councillor Charlie Clark.
“This certainly feels like a disappointment and a step backwards”
The Shop Easy will close its doors on Nov. 3.
Jacqueline Wilson contributed to this story.
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