9 months ago
KENNEBUNK (NEWS CENTER) -- The Super Stop and Shop on U.S. Route 1 in Kennebunk has announced it will be closing its doors at the end of October.
The store opened in June 2007. There are 140 full and part time employees at the store. It's the only Stop and Shop in Maine. The company operates 375 stores in seven Northeastern States.
A Stop and Shop spokesperson says the closure comes after a customer and business review. There are no other closures planned within the company. News of the store's closing was a surprise to town officials.
"It is a total shock," said town manager Barry Tibbetts. "I mean, I just happened to be in a different meeting this morning and my secretary came in and said, 'gee Barry, you have an e-mail from one of the local press asking you about the closing of Stop and Shop,' and I said that is the first I have heard of it. I am just totally shocked. No prior indication at all."
Tibbetts and other people in town had heard rumors the store might be closed a few months ago, but those rumors went away as time passed. Then came today's announcement. "In all sincerity, this is a total shock to me and to the town. We had no official word from them in any capacity," said Tibbetts.
Town officials plan to work with the state and the company to make sure the employees are taken care of.
NEWS CENTER
