Farewell to Cub Foods: St. Paul’s Midway Neighborhood Picks Up the Pieces as Store Closes

The Cub Foods store in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood will close on August 2nd, impacting 96 employees. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development confirmed the closure, which the company described as part of a strategy to “optimize our footprint.”

Cub Foods is not just shutting doors without reason. They mentioned investing in other stores, like the newly remodeled location in Burnsville. This balancing act aims to improve efficiency in a challenging retail environment.

Customers needing pharmacy services from the Midway location won’t be left in the lurch. Their prescriptions will be moved just four miles away to the Cub Pharmacy on Larpenteur Avenue in Roseville.

This closure is part of a troubling trend for the shopping center on University Avenue. The area has already seen the shutdown of other major retailers. For example, At Home took over a former Walmart space, but that location now sits alongside the closed Herberger’s department store. In 2023, a TJ Maxx in the same strip mall also closed.

According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, about 45% of retailers faced challenges that led to store closures this year, highlighting a growing trend in the industry. Experts suggest that shifts in consumer behavior, partly due to the pandemic, have caused many businesses to rethink their strategies. As shopping habits change, retailers must adapt or face similar fates as those seen in St. Paul.

The community’s reaction is mixed. While some residents are sad to see the store go, others are hopeful for new businesses to emerge in those empty spaces. Social media has sparked discussions on what could replace these closures, with local voices urging for more community-focused shops.

The future of retail may seem uncertain, but it’s clear that change is happening. Cub Foods’ decision echoes a broader need for adaptability in today’s market. Exploring how businesses respond to these dynamics will be key to understanding the next chapter of retail in our neighborhoods.

For further insights on retail trends, check out the National Retail Federation’s website here.

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Business closure,Cub Foods,Grocery Store,St. Paul