CAN’T BE SAVED: Shoppers heartbroken as grocery chain with 800 stores announces location closing in 24hrs after suddenly changing date
According to The Sun USA, Residents of Lancaster, New York, are reeling after Save-A-Lot announced an unexpected closure of its store, cutting its service short by over a week. Originally scheduled to close on September 9, the Lancaster Save-A-Lot will instead shut its doors on Saturday, August 31, giving the community less than 24 hours’ notice.
In a poignant Facebook post, the store’s management thanked the Lancaster community for its support during the store’s 22-year run. The message expressed sorrow over the sudden change in the closing date:
“It is with a heavy heart that we have changed our closing date. We regret to inform you that we will be permanently closing the doors this Saturday, August 31st. We want to thank the residents of Lancaster for all of their support over the past 22 years, and it was a pleasure to serve the community.”
The post also directed shoppers to visit the Save-A-Lot location at the corner of French and Union in West Seneca. Despite comments being disabled on the announcement, the closure has left many residents dismayed.
The Lancaster Save-A-Lot has been a key resource for affordable groceries, and its sudden shutdown hits hard, especially given that the nearby Buffalo Save-A-Lot also closed earlier this summer. With Save-A-Lot’s broader strategy involving the sale of its remaining corporate stores to Leevers Supermarkets in 2023, local shoppers are now faced with pricier alternatives such as Tops or Aldi’s.
The impact extends beyond grocery shopping. The Lancaster store’s closure is also raising concerns about local employment. Many employees who have become familiar faces in the community are now left with uncertain job prospects. It remains unclear whether the company will offer any relocation assistance or other support to its workers.
Residents from Lancaster and neighboring towns like Depew, who have relied on Save-A-Lot for budget-friendly shopping, are now grappling with the prospect of more expensive and less convenient options. The loss of this community staple marks a significant change for the area, leaving many to mourn the departure of a beloved local institution.
