A United Food and Commercial Workers Union official says her employees never saw the Quality Market closures coming.
Colby Flank said the abrupt decision, made by the locally owned stores owners, caught everyone off guard.
"My understanding from one of my members is there was a meeting last night, but the closure was announced to them today," Flank said, noting employees were in the midst of contract negotiations and had met with management as recently as Oct. 5.
"I don't think they've even had any time to digest things."
About 80 employees will affected by the closure.
The announcement of the shutdown was made on Tuesday in a release sent to local media, but cited no reason for the closure.
The two stores, a newly constructed location on Golf Links Road, the other Centennial Square, remain open for the time being.
"After 24 years of serving the community, Quality Market is announcing that it will be closing both locations soon. The Quality Market family would like to thank the residents of Thunder Bay for supporting our family business. Effective immediately, all stock will be sold at significant savings," brothers Dan and David Stezenko said in a release issued to media on Tuesday.
The company, in operation for 24 years, also operated a third store in County Fair, but closed it when they opened their Golf Links Road site.
