Giant Tiger to Close Two Winnipeg Locations

When Sobeys took over Safeway in 2013, they were forces to divest some stores to get federal approval. One of the Safeways sold was at 1441 Main Street. Red River Co-op decided it was a good time to get back in the grocery market and picked up some of those locations such as Grant Park and the Main Street location.

Things seemed to be doing well with the Red River Co-Op but then managers indicated that the landlord did not re-new their lease and lo, and behold Giant Tiger was the new tenant. Red River was so perturbed that they set up a stand alone Co-Op pharmacy in the building next door. It remains to this day.

It is being reported that Giant Tiger is looking to close the same store they fought so hard to get on Main Street this July. Also to be closed is long time Giant Tiger at 305 McPhillips. This might be cleaning up a but following the purchase of the franchises of the North West Company who had western Canada Giant Tigers. The corporate re-purchase could also have nothing to do with things. It could be the security of the stores is in question and that the company feels they can't can't make money there anymore. The point is we will not know. However, what will happen is that Giant Tiger will go from 10 stores down to 8. And Main will lose a grocery that a lot of people use.

Will Red River Co-Op be first in line to go for the property again? Or will the grocer even trust the landlord again? They have kept the pharmacy on Main even after all this time. It seems terribly unfair to this part of Main Street that they keep losing retailers. Perhaps we will get some clarity as to the reason.

The other location a 305 McPhillips has been in place for a long time. Is security there an issue as well? Who knows? Some stores in this city are under siege. Food Fare is constantly have difficulty. Staff and customers are getting hurt. 

Expect more news on this and more in the coming days.