An Unexpected Grocery Store Is Now Closing in Wisconsin

May 21, 2024

An unexpected grocery store is now closing in Wisconsin in just three weeks with shoppers attributing the closure to rising inflation.

The Piggy Wiggly grocery store in Brookfield, Wisconsin – around 15 miles west of downtown Milwaukee – is set to close next month, per Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Located in Elmbrook Plaza, the grocer will shut its doors on June 15.

The store’s general manager Earl Brunelle told the outlet that owner Tony Sendik made the decision to close the store.

Brunelle shared that news of the closure would be posted in-store this week for shoppers.

The manager did not know the exact reason for the closure but listed high employee costs and low sales as potential factors, per The-Sun.

Additionally, Brunelle noted that the store is in an older building requiring much maintenance.

Employees were informed of the closure via a letter that Sendik posted in the store.

They were previously told the Piggly Wiggly could potentially close in May.

Rumors on social media and a neighborhood website circulated in March that the store was to shut down on May 11.

The store was previously a Sendik’s store and was established as a Piggly Wiggly in 2012.

Grocery store analyst David Livingston felt the closure was not a surprise but came with many mixed messages over the last two months.

“Perhaps word got out too soon and (the owner) didn’t want employees jumping ship too soon,” he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, noting retailers have struggled with staffing issues.

“This location hasn’t turned out well for a grocer going back 40 years,” Livingston said.

He pointed out that sales in the area were tough considering the nearby competition, including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Target.

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Also Read: An Unexpected Retailer Is Now Closing All Stores in Illinois

Other Economy News Today

An unexpected restaurant now abruptly closes 7 locations in one state after revealing plans to shutter a total of 36.

TGI Fridays is closing a total of seven restaurants in one state as part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy.

This comes after the chain abruptly closed 36 locations across 12 states in at the beginning of the year, per The-Sun.

The restaurant chain will pull the plug on seven locations across the state of New Jersey in the coming weeks.

Today, Fridays will welcome in famished diners at its location in Brick for the final time.

“As we continue along our path of transformation to revitalize the Fridays brand and implement a long-term growth strategy, we see a bright future for TGI Fridays,” said Weldon Spangler, CEO of TGI Fridays earlier this week.

“We are at the helm of a pivotal moment that will allow us to explore boundless advancement, expansion, and innovation to keep delivering ‘That Fridays Feeling’ that our fans know and love.”

Before the closures, TGI Fridays had about 270 US locations, according to the company’s website.

“As part of the store closures, TGI Fridays is offering more than 1,000 transfer opportunities, which represents over 80% of total impacted employees,” the company previously said in a statement.

“Our top priority has always been delivering a superior experience for each and every TGI Fridays guest, and we’ve identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations to ensure we are best positioned to meet – and exceed – on that brand promise,” said Ray Risley, US president and chief operating officer, in the release.

Eight other locations were sold to former CEO Ray Blanchette, a longtime stakeholder who will acquire the previously corporate-owned restaurants.

The sale comes as major changes have been made to the brand’s leadership, including the news of Weldon Spangler being made CEO.

“As we continue along our path of transformation to revitalize the Fridays brand and implement a long-term growth strategy, we see a bright future for TGI Fridays,” said Spangler in a statement.

Also Read: Retirees Will Now Receive More Money For Social Security

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