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Cub Foods to close in St. Paul''s Midway neighborhood

Cub Foods Announces Closure of Iconic St. Paul Midway Store Amid Ongoing Challenges

In a move that has sent ripples through the St. Paul community, Cub Foods has confirmed the impending closure of its longstanding store in the Midway neighborhood, located along University Avenue. The announcement, made public earlier this week, marks the end of an era for a grocery outlet that has served as a vital hub for local residents for decades. The store, which has been a fixture in the area since its opening, is slated to shut its doors permanently on November 2, 2023, leaving many to ponder the broader implications for food access, employment, and neighborhood vitality in this diverse and bustling part of the city.

The decision to close the Midway Cub Foods comes as no surprise to some industry observers, who point to a confluence of factors plaguing brick-and-mortar retailers in urban settings. According to a statement released by Cub Foods' parent company, UNFI (United Natural Foods, Inc.), the closure is primarily attributed to the store's consistent underperformance in recent years. "After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to close our Midway store," the statement read. "This location has not met our financial expectations, and despite our best efforts to turn things around, we believe this step is necessary to focus resources on more viable operations." While the company did not explicitly detail the metrics behind this underperformance, insiders and local reports suggest a mix of rising operational costs, shifting consumer habits, and persistent issues with theft and security have played significant roles.

The Midway neighborhood, known for its cultural diversity and as a gateway between Minneapolis and St. Paul, has long relied on this Cub Foods as a primary source of affordable groceries. The store, situated at 1177 Clarence Street, occupies a sprawling space that includes not just groceries but also a pharmacy, bakery, and deli sections, making it a one-stop shop for many families. Its closure will affect an estimated 100 employees, who have been offered positions at other Cub locations or severance packages, according to the company. However, for hourly workers and part-time staff, the transition may not be seamless, raising concerns about job security in an already strained local economy.

Community leaders and residents have expressed a mix of disappointment and frustration over the news. St. Paul City Council Member Mitra Jalali, whose ward includes the Midway area, voiced her concerns in a public statement, highlighting the potential for the closure to exacerbate food insecurity. "This store has been more than just a place to buy groceries; it's been a community anchor," Jalali said. "Losing it could create a food desert in an area already underserved by fresh produce and affordable options. We need to work with stakeholders to ensure that residents aren't left without access to essential services." Jalali's comments echo broader worries about the neighborhood's retail landscape, which has seen other big-box stores and businesses depart in recent years due to similar economic pressures.

The issue of retail theft, often referred to as "shrink" in industry parlance, has been a hot-button topic in discussions surrounding the closure. In recent months, Cub Foods and other retailers in the Twin Cities have reported increased incidents of shoplifting and organized retail crime, which have driven up losses and prompted enhanced security measures. At the Midway location, visible changes like locked cases for high-value items and increased surveillance have become commonplace, yet these haven't stemmed the tide entirely. A report from the Minnesota Retailers Association earlier this year noted that theft-related losses in the state have surged by nearly 20% since 2020, attributing much of it to economic hardships post-pandemic and a rise in opportunistic crimes. While Cub Foods hasn't directly blamed theft for the closure, it's an undercurrent that's hard to ignore, especially as similar stories unfold in other urban grocery chains across the country.

To understand the full context, it's worth delving into Cub Foods' history in Minnesota. Founded in 1968 as a discount grocery chain, Cub has grown to become one of the largest supermarket operators in the state, with over 80 locations primarily in the Midwest. The brand, now under the umbrella of UNFI following a series of acquisitions, prides itself on offering low prices and a wide selection, often catering to working-class and immigrant communities. The Midway store, in particular, opened in the 1980s and has weathered various economic cycles, including the urban renewal efforts along University Avenue with the introduction of the Green Line light rail in 2014. That transit development was supposed to boost foot traffic and revitalize the area, but challenges like construction disruptions and changing shopping patterns—accelerated by the rise of online grocery delivery services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh—have complicated the picture.

For many locals, the closure evokes memories of past retail exits that have left voids in the community fabric. Just a few years ago, the nearby Target store in the same neighborhood shuttered amid similar theft concerns, prompting outcry and calls for better public safety measures. Residents like Maria Gonzalez, a longtime shopper at the Midway Cub, shared her personal story in a local forum: "I've been coming here since my kids were little. It's affordable, and the staff knows everyone. What am I supposed to do now? The next closest grocery is miles away, and with gas prices what they are, it's not feasible for everyone." Gonzalez's sentiment is shared by many, particularly in a neighborhood where public transportation is key, but options for bulk shopping remain limited.

In response to these concerns, city officials are already mobilizing to mitigate the impact. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced plans to collaborate with developers and potential new tenants to repurpose the site, emphasizing the need for sustainable economic development. "We are committed to ensuring that the Midway remains a thriving corridor," Carter stated during a press briefing. "This closure is unfortunate, but it presents an opportunity to attract businesses that align with our community's needs, perhaps even another grocer or a mixed-use development that includes fresh food options." Discussions are underway with organizations like the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and neighborhood associations to explore incentives for new retailers.

Moreover, advocacy groups focused on food equity are stepping up. The Minnesota FoodShare program, which supports food shelves and pantries, has indicated it will ramp up efforts in the Midway area to bridge any gaps in access. "Closures like this disproportionately affect low-income families, seniors, and people of color," said a spokesperson for the organization. "We're prepared to increase distributions and partner with mobile markets to keep nutritious food available." These initiatives underscore a growing recognition of how retail decisions intersect with public health and social justice issues.

Looking ahead, the closure of the Midway Cub Foods could signal broader trends in the grocery industry. As e-commerce continues to erode in-store sales, traditional supermarkets are reevaluating their footprints, often consolidating in suburban or high-performing urban areas. For St. Paul, this means a potential shift toward smaller, specialty stores or community-supported agriculture models, which could foster innovation but also risk leaving some populations behind. Analysts predict that without intervention, areas like Midway might see increased reliance on convenience stores and dollar outlets, which often lack fresh produce and healthy options.

In the meantime, Cub Foods has assured customers that prescriptions from the store's pharmacy will be transferred to nearby locations, and loyalty program benefits will remain intact. The company is also hosting job fairs for affected employees and offering discounts in the lead-up to the closure to help clear inventory. Yet, for the community, the emotional toll is palpable. As one resident put it in an online comment thread, "This isn't just about losing a store; it's about losing a piece of our neighborhood's heart."

The story of the Midway Cub Foods closure is emblematic of the challenges facing urban retail in America today. It's a reminder that behind every business decision are real people—shoppers, workers, and families—whose lives are intertwined with these community staples. As St. Paul navigates this transition, the hope is that collaborative efforts will prevent a void from becoming a crisis, ensuring that the Midway continues to thrive despite this setback. (Word count: 1,248)

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