St. Mary’s Supermarket closing: Everything To Know

St. Mary’s Supermarket closing: History, Causes, Date, Response, Renovation plans, Everything To Know About The Closure For Repairs, Dates And More

St. Mary’s Supermarket, located on Sitansisk First Nation in Fredericton, New Brunswick, is unfortunately closing its doors on June 30, 2024. This closure comes after two decades of serving the community. Chief Allan Polchies Jr. attributes the closure to high prices and powerful competitors.

• Chief Allan Polchies Jr. attributes the closure to high prices and powerful competitors. The challenging grocery system in Canada, controlled by five large corporations, has made it difficult for the supermarket to establish buying power and access basic items.
• The presence of a nearby Walmart and the impending opening of a No Frills store also contributed to the decision to close the supermarket.

Reasons for Closure:

• • The supermarket faced several challenges:
    • High Prices: St. Mary’s Supermarket struggled to compete with larger chain stores due to high prices.
    • Powerful Competitors: The presence of big chain stores like Walmart and the upcoming No Frills in the area made it difficult for the supermarket to attract customers.
    • Buying Power: The challenging grocery system in Canada, controlled by five large corporations, hindered the supermarket’s ability to establish buying power and access basic items.
    • Financial Deficit: Consumers often made small purchases at St. Mary’s Supermarket, resulting in a lack of profitability over time.
    • Tax-Revenue Sharing Agreement: Previously, Sitansisk had a tax-revenue sharing agreement with the province, allowing them to absorb the deficit. However, this agreement ended in January 2023, leading to a monthly loss of $125,000.

Renovation Plans

The restructuring plan involves the closure of the St. Mary’s Supermarket, with critical equipment being transferred to the new location at the Two Nations One Stop afterward. Employees affected by this restructuring have been notified and are encouraged to apply at other SMRS (St. Mary’s Retail Services) locations before the closure date. Employees of St. Mary’s Supermarket have been notified of this decision and will have the opportunity to apply for employment at other St. Mary’s Retail Sales enterprises before the supermarket’s closure. The Two Nations One Stop will offer some of the most popular products, including meat, seafood, and produce, albeit on a smaller scale.

Closure Details:

• St. Mary’s Supermarket will officially close its doors on June 30, 2024.
• The supermarket building, located on Cliffe Street in Fredericton’s north side, currently has no concrete plans for its future use.
• Severance Pay: The 50 employees of the supermarket will receive severance pay if they cannot find work at other retail locations on Sitansisk by the closure date.
• Job Opportunities: Two Nations One Stop, a gas bar and convenience store on Howe Street, will upgrade to offer some of the products carried by the supermarket (including meat and produce) but on a smaller scale. There will be 17 jobs available at Two Nations One Stop, and also all current supermarket employees will need to reapply to ensure a fair process.
• Support for Employees: Resumé writing workshops and other support services will be available to assist affected employees during this transition.

It’s indeed a sad development for the community, as St. Mary’s Supermarket has been a beloved part of the Northside for years. The loss of this independent store leaves residents with fewer options, especially considering the dominance of larger grocery chains in the area.