Lucky's Market employees learned 7 a.m. Tuesday the Missoula grocery store at Southgate Mall would close in three weeks, according to an employee.
In December, the Kroger grocery store chain announced it was pulling its financial backing from Lucky's after reviewing Lucky's Market's portfolio, according to a story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Kroger's had been one of the store's main financial backers.
Tuesday, employee Shoni Llamas said she was disheartened by the announcement.
"I'm a little shocked. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Working here, it was like a family," said Llamas, who worked at the coffee bar.
Lucky's Market founded in 2003 in Boulder, Colorado. It opened in 2018 in Missoula with roughly 150 jobs.
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The local store leader directed media requests to headquarters, but a Lucky's Market spokesperson did not respond Tuesday to requests for comment via an email and a voicemail.
Friday, Southgate Mall owners announced JCPenney's also would close this spring. The mall has indicated that it will announce plans for "redevelopment" of the JCPenney location soon.
“Our thoughts are with the employees impacted by the Lucky’s Market announcement," said Southgate mall general manager Tim Winger. "While continuing to support existing tenants, our leasing team is actively pursuing new uses, which could include specialty grocery, as well as other tenancy which provides differentiated goods and services. We continue to see strong demand for space at Southgate Mall and will share additional details in the future.”
The 32,000-square-foot grocery store was one of the centerpiece tenants of the mall's redevelopment as it was in the process of being sold by local owners, Southgate Mall Associates, to Ohio-based owners Washington Prime Group in 2018 for $58 million.
Business Insider and other publications reported Tuesday that the company will close 32 of its 39 stores nationwide, with Feb. 12 as the final closing date.
The Lucky's Market in Billings is also slated to close, according to the Billings Gazette.
Missoula stores that have closed in 2020
Missoula stores that have closed or opened in 2020
Opened — Mountain Time Bowls and Buns
Mountain Time Bowls and Buns opened on Higgins in January.
Opened — Dee-O-Gee
Dee-O-Gee, a Bozeman pet products and dog grooming company, opened a store in Missoula in January of 2020.
(Bozeman location pictured)
Opened — Cambie Taphouse
Cambie Taphouse + Coffee opened its doors to the public in February.
Closed — The Green Light
Sabrina Smith, right, the owner of the Green Light in downtown Missoula, helps out during the 2016 Small Business Saturday.
Closed — Pita Pit
The Pita Pit store in downtown Missoula sat empty as of January 16, 2020.
Closed — Pier 1 Imports
The Pier 1 Imports store on Reserve Street confirmed in early January that the store was closing.
Closed — Lucky's Market
Founded in 2003 in Boulder, Colorado, the Missoula Lucky’s Market opened in May of 2018.
Closed — J.C. Penney
The J.C. Penney department store in Missoula's Southgate Mall will be closing. It was announced in January of 2020.
Opened — Cranky Sam Public House
The Cranky Sam Public House opened on West Main Street in May of 2020.
Opened — Soup Farm
The Soup Farm opened in Missoula's Northside in July of 2020.
Opened — Front Street Pizza
Front Street Pizza opened in April of 2020, near Wally and Buck, Pearl Café, Market on Front Street and other eateries.
Opened — Ducrey Chocolate Maker
A view of the inside of the new Ducrey Chocolate Maker.
Opened — Panera Bread
Panera Bread opened a location on Reserve Street near Target this year.
Closed — Roosterloo Farm, Market and Eatery
Roosterloo Farm, Market and Eatery, which opened in May of 2019 closed in 2020.
Opened — Blackfoot River Outfitters
Blackfoot River Outfitters opened on Russell Street in August of 2020.
Reopened — The Old Post
The Old Post, which shocked many in Missoula by closing down in October of 2019, reopened in 2020.
