Closure of Wisconsin-Based Convenience Chain ‘The Store’ Amidst Nationwide Retail Decline

Wisconsin convenience store and gas station chain, The Store, is set to close all 25 of its locations by the end of July 2024.

Established in 1976, The Store has been a fixture in Wisconsin and also operates in Michigan. The impending closure is not a result of financial mismanagement or dwindling sales.

Instead, it stems from the bankruptcy of Mountain Express Oil, the company that owns the properties and land where The Store operates.

Bankruptcy and Its Consequences

Mountain Express Oil filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year, a more severe form of bankruptcy compared to Chapter 11.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves the liquidation of all assets, indicating the business has no intention of continuing operations.

This contrasts with Chapter 11, which is a reorganization bankruptcy allowing businesses to restructure and continue.

The land on which The Store operates was sold to a property investment company, which does not plan to renew the lease agreements with The Store.

Transition Plans for Employees

Despite the closure, Team Schierl, the parent company of The Store, is working to ensure a smooth transition for current employees.

According to WSAW-TV, Team Schierl is collaborating with the new operator to retain current employees in their roles.

This effort aims to mitigate the impact on staff, providing a semblance of job security amidst the uncertainty.

A Broader Retail Downturn

The closure of The Store is part of a broader trend of retail struggles and closures across the United States.

The retail sector has seen a spate of bankruptcies and shutdowns in recent months. Notable chains like BurgerFi, which brands itself as an upscale alternative to McDonald’s, have considered Chapter 11 bankruptcy to exit leases for underperforming locations and liquidate assets, a strategy recently employed by Red Lobster.

Rising Tide of Retail Closures

In May, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy and has since closed almost 100 locations, with up to 135 more closures under consideration.

Similarly, upscale coffee and grocery chain Foxtrot announced abrupt closures of all its stores in April, leaving both employees and customers in shock. Retailer Express also filed for bankruptcy in April, planning to shut down 95 of its outlets.

The Struggle of Physical Retail

These closures are symptomatic of a larger decline in the U.S. retail sector. Nearly 2,600 stores have shuttered so far in 2024.

Major retailers like Macy’s, Walmart, Walgreens, Foot Locker, and 7-Eleven have all announced store closures.

Discount stores, such as Family Dollar and the bankrupt 99 Cents Only, along with drugstores like CVS and Rite Aid, have been particularly hard hit.

Future Projections

If the current rate of closures continues, the total number of retail shutdowns in 2024 could reach 7,800, nearly 40 percent more than in 2023.

The rise of online shopping has significantly contributed to the struggles of brick-and-mortar locations, creating a challenging environment for traditional retail businesses.

Conclusion

The closure of The Store marks the end of an era for a beloved Wisconsin institution.

It underscores the harsh realities facing the retail sector today, where even longstanding, community-centric businesses are not immune to the broader economic forces at play.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, businesses must adapt to survive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

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