GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Shoppers at Green Bay Plaza will soon no longer see Big Lots or Party City, as they announced closures nationwide.
“Actually it’s kind of sad, it’s been one of our go-tos to help with our budgets,” said Angelyna Hawbecker, a shopper at the Plaza.
Both storefronts at the Plaza are currently holding store closing sales.
Military Avenue Business District Director Leah Weycker said it was a surprise to employees to learn of the closings. “It’s unfortunate that all those people are going to lose jobs right at this time of the year, it’s a tough time to get notice that you’re unemployed, or soon to be unemployed.”
Weycker said that before the announced closures, the Plaza only had one empty storefront.
She added that multiple companies are interested in the soon to be vacate spaces – but at this time she is not able to share any names.
The stores are expected to close in 8 to 12 weeks, depending on merchandise on their shelves. “It sounds like they might be open until February, but as busy as they were yesterday, I think they’re going to be out of product sooner than that,” said Weycker.
FOX 11 saw plenty of shoppers going in and out of both Big Lots and Party City this weekend before Christmas.
Shoppers at the Plaza said they hope the store that replaces Big Lots isn’t a big change. “Something that’s going to be similar, warehouse, bulk. Something budget friendly. Party supplies, we can get party supplies, right?” said Hawbecker.
“I have no idea, and that’s kind of sad because the stationary store isn’t there, they tore Sears down, I don’t know, maybe some kind of, less expensive-type place,” Pam Gagne told us.
The plaza has seen a lot of change in recent years. Sears closed in 2018, followed by Office Depot a year later.
The Office Depot is being replaced with Crunch Fitness, a membership gym which is set to open early next year. And the former Sears site is now home to a car wash and land available for future development.
Comments