Shoppers Food & Pharmacy in Germantown announced that it will close permanently next month, according to an Oct. 14 letter sent to employees.
The letter stated that after a “careful evaluation of store performance and operational standards,” Shoppers decided to close its only location in Montgomery County after 30 years in business. Employees’ last day of work will be on or before Nov. 15, per union agreements.
This decision comes as Shoppers shuttered the doors of four Maryland locations — Essex, New Carrollton, Waldorf and Westminster — on Oct. 11. The brand’s parent company, United Natural Foods, Inc., has scaled back store operations across the state, either divesting or closing various locations, according to The MoCo Show.
Another local closure is Gilly’s Craft Beer & Fine Wine in Rockville. The small business served draft brews, wines and deli sandwiches, as well as beer and wine for takeout, for the past 17 years, according to its website.
The Oct. 16 Facebook announcement by Gilly’s cited challenges surrounding the “current economic climate” and trouble staying afloat.
“It has been an honor to be a gathering place for so many special moments — from first dates to daily work-from-home routines,” the announcement read. “We will treasure the memories we’ve made.”
Both Shoppers and Gilly’s Craft Beer & Fine Wine thanked their staff members and expressed commitment to providing support to employees during this transition.
Gilly’s will have a “fire sale” from Oct. 19 through Oct. 26, an opportunity for patrons to visit and bid farewell to a local staple.
