After 40 years, the Union Square Sparkle Supermarket at Belmont Avenue and Gypsy Lane will close July 31.
According to a press release from the Cafaro Company, which owns Union Square Plaza, store owner Charles Zander said several factors forced the decision, including the recent opening of a nearby WalMart Supercenter. That, said the release, created enormous pressure within the competitive environment of the Belmont Business District.
The release said at the same time, a national trend by consumers to favor corporately-owned grocery conglomerates has made it impossible for independent grocers to compete. The decision was made despite concessions from the landlord and the union, the release states.
The release states that the Cafaro Company will seek to replace Sparkle with another grocery store to serve the North Side of Youngstown and Liberty.
