The Schnucks Markets location in North St. Louis at 4127 N. Grand will will close permanently at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, the company announced Monday morning. The company declined to renew the lease. However, all 65 employees of the store will be transferred to nearby Schnucks locations, according to the company.
The company said it will start “a sell down of goods” prior to the May 10 closing. Pharmacy customers may continue to have their prescriptions filled through May 10.
According to Schnucks President and CEO Todd Schnuck, the 28,000-square-foot store has consistently operated in the red since it was purchased as part of the 1995 National acquisition.
“Closing any store is a difficult decision particularly when we have invested so substantially in the 45-year-old facility including a $200,000 pharmacy remodel just one year ago,” Schnuck said. “Nothing we’ve done has helped improve the store’s performance.”
He praised Store Manager Roger Hines and Co-Manager Sharon Evans and their “experienced and dedicated team,” yet said the location continued to lose money.
“There are still too many area residents who do not shop at the store for reasons beyond our control,” Schnuck said. “Sales at this store will not offset needed repairs, escalating labor, utility and insurance costs.”
The factors beyond the company’s control he cited are “lack of population growth and the opportunity to attract new customers.”
The closing will leave Schnucks with eight stores within the city limits.
Schnuck says that should the landlord entice another grocer to the site, the company would leave the majority of the store’s fixtures in place.
