Rumours about Safeway shutting down have circulated before, but this time it’s true.
The store in Centenoka Park Mall will close its doors on Thursday, Nov. 5, probably about 6 p.m., says Keri Scobie, communications manager for Western Canada for Sobeys Inc. In 2013, Sobeys Inc. acquired Safeway operations in Canada.
“These are never easy decisions to make when you close a store, particularly with the impact it has on employees...,” she said.
“This is really a regular part of our business operations. We continuously are evaluating our options to ensure we have the right store formats in the right market. We look at lots of factors – demographics, location, cost of improvements, historical sales and the competitive landscape.”
She said 48 employees will be affected, “some of whom may move to other locations within our store network.”
Lance Johnson, general manager of the mall, said he wasn’t aware Safeway was closing when the Observer called Tuesday.
However, he said, he’s been hearing the rumour over the past 10 years, so he has contingency plans in place.
“I don’t think there’s another location in Salmon Arm that can offer what that location offers. I think most retailers throughout Canada can see that. Most of these guys would say, ‘let’s go to the number 1 spot in Salmon Arm,’” he said, referring to visibility and highway access.
The Safeway store has been operating in Salmon Arm since 1980.