The Sydney Co-op Food Market will be shutting its doors by the end of the month, putting 31 employees out of a job.
Staff was informed of the layoffs at a meeting Monday morning while customers learned of the closure in a letter posted at the entrance to the store on Prince Street.
Many said they were shocked by the notice.
“I guess I was. Wait until I tell my wife,” said customer Kaz Savitzski. “She’s going to say ‘are they crazy?’”
“It’s a sad day I think for our community,” said Ron Cool.
The store will be closed on Wednesday in order to prepare for a liquidation sale. The final closing date is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 21.
Management said they are struggling to compete with big-box stores.
“With the smaller footprint, it makes it very difficult for you to get your margins,” said Co-op spokesman Leo LeBlanc. “The last five years have been difficult times for Sydney Co-op and this year we decided we can no longer support this generation.”
Joanne Pyke, a marketing professor at Cape Breton University, said people are more geared toward convenience, which favours bigger stores.
“We can buy clothing and buy our groceries at the same time at big-box stores, especially Walmart,” said Pyke. “Where they’re the biggest in the retail industry, they’re able to provide lower prices than competitors.”
Employees Warren Powell and Elaine Chiasson said it feels like they are losing part of their family.
“I loved this store. It’s one of the best places I ever worked at,” said Powell. “It’s pretty much like family.”
“We were family-oriented. This is our life. This is what it was and now it’s done,” said Chiasson, who has worked at the store for 38 years.
“I just have to go on with life and figure out what I’m going to do.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
