Company to close North Montello Street

BROCKTON — Marla Blaustein summed up customers’ reaction to the news that the North Montello Stop & Shop would ultimately close.

“It sucks,” the Brockton resident said as she walked out after banking at the Citizens branch inside the store. “I’m going to miss it.”

The last time the North Montello store was scheduled to close, Brockton leaders, including Mayor Robert F. Sullivan, stepped up and convinced Stop & Shop and its landlord to keep it open. The Enterprise reached out to Sullivan and Shirley Asack, the city councilwoman whose district includes the grocery store, bank and gas station.

More: Stop & Shop reveals list of closures. Check if your store is on it

On Friday, Stop & Shop released a list of 32 stores it plans to close this year, including eight stores in Massachusetts. The company said the stores will close by Nov. 2.

“Stop & Shop is proud of the deep roots and community connections we have developed as a neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, and we remain committed to nourishing our associates, customers and communities,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop, in a written statement. “As we announced in May, Stop & Shop evaluated our entire store portfolio and made the difficult decision to close underperforming stores to create a healthy foundation for the future growth of our brand.”

In May, Dutch parent company Ahold Delhaize, a subsidiary of Stop & Shop, told investors it planned to close underperforming stores. U.S. CEO JJ Fleeman said the company would consider brand density, each store’s market position and its performance.

In addition to the North Montello Street store in Brockton, Stop & Shop will close two other local stores, including 36 New State Highway in Raynham and 341 Plymouth St. in Halifax.

Brockton customers felt the shock of losing something they thought had been saved.

“After everything we’ve been through, it’s so sad,” said Donna Currier, who stopped in the parking lot of the store at 932 N. Montello to speak to The Enterprise. “We’re just playing on people’s emotions.”

Currier has her own transportation, so the store’s closing won’t be too hard on her. She’s heartbroken for the elderly customers who live nearby and depend on the store, as well as the store’s employees, especially those with disabilities. She said generations of Brocktonians have relied on the store.

Customers are considering how they will adjust to the loss of this North Side staple.

“This is my favorite place,” said Pax Celli of Ardsley Street as he waited for pickup. “I’ve been shopping here for years.”

Celli said he wasn’t sure where he would shop once the North Montello store closed.

Katie Landeck, director of New England Connect, contributed to this report.

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