TOWSON, MD — The upcoming Towson Walmart closure is “devastating” and “a shock” for some Baltimore County workers.
Some shoppers will miss the Towson Place store. They called for a new location nearby.
Other customers were unhappy with their recent experiences.
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Walmart announced Wednesday that the store and pharmacy located at 1238 Putty Hill Ave. Suite 5 will close on April 5. The 207 employees can transfer to other locations if they wish.
“I hope other locations can absorb the employees,” Emily Cooke said on Facebook. “This has to be devastating for them.”
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Walmart workers were frustrated with the news.
“It’s just a shock. I like the team here and I commute just to be with this team,” employee Angie Desmarais told WMAR. “It’s upsetting but I guess they have their reasons for having to shut it down.”
The staff will be paid through June 14. They will get a severance package if they don’t transfer by then.
“That’s more generous than other companies. I was surprised,” Amelia Nimmo replied on Facebook.
Some shoppers reported poor experiences in recent years. They pointed to stocking and organization issues.
“I remember when this store opened and we were so happy to have one closer to home. Hate to see it go but the store hasn’t looked good for a long time now,” Nikki Sommella commented on Facebook.
Some customers plan to go to the nearby Target.
Others called for a Super Walmart, which has a larger grocery store.
“Towson deserves a brand new super walmart. Make it happen!” Jeremy Albaugh wrote on Facebook.”
Towson University economist Daraius Irani said Walmart and other discount stores have low margins on items, so they need lots of customers to profit.
“If there’s not the volume of people coming through, that affects their margins,” Irani told WBAL. “If you’re only making one, two or three percent on an item, if you have a low number of people going through, that does affect your profitability.”
Walmart didn’t give an exact reason for this closure. The chain just said it was a business decision.
“We are grateful to the customers who have given us the privilege of serving them at our store in Towson,” Walmart spokesperson Alicia Anger said in a press release. “We look forward to continuing to serve them at any of seven other locations across the area, on walmart.com and through delivery to their home or business.”
The next closest Walmarts are in Nottingham and Cockeysville.
No other closures are planned in this area.
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