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2012-10-16 at 15:34

Quality Market closing

By Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com
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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. 

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Comments

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CM Punk says:
I am sure people are gonna cry because its a local business and those of us that shop at the Wal Marts are to blame.
Face it, I could buy the same item they were selling way cheaper. They brought it on to themselves. They were just not competitive enough.
It sucks because now we got another boarded up store in Thunder Bay.
But people will say we are booming.
10/16/2012 3:39:55 PM
Tom Sanderson says:
It was a business. It failed for whatever reason. They tried their best. I think the owners new about Walmart long before they decided on the changes to their location and you were not a concern in their plan. Why in hell you've got to kick them when their down is stupefying.
What in life has soured you to the point that you have absolutely nothing positive to say about anything that gets reported? You yap that you are a big time pro fighter, maybe one shot to many to the ole coconut has created this?
10/16/2012 5:16:21 PM
sky high says:
I would bet my last dollar that you've never even been at Quality Market. How can you compare QM with Walmart when Walmart sells furniture, fishing tackle etc? Who cares where you shop, you're an insensitive clown that sits on his computer 24/7 waiting to say something stupid to get a rise out of someone.
10/16/2012 7:14:09 PM
big joe mufferaw says:
I don't think you ever shopped there...the pricing was competitive and service was superior...if you'd shopped there, you'd know that.
10/16/2012 8:41:06 PM
Sui Generis says:
It's sad to hear, especially in light of the jobs being lost, but to be fair, they charged a great deal more for the same items the bigger grocery store carried. If they couldn't remain competitive, then they 'should' close.
10/16/2012 3:43:48 PM
jimmyboy says:
All I can say is...very, very SHOCKING.!!
10/16/2012 3:48:24 PM
gah says:
I am really shocked at this, considering how new the golf links location is and how busy it seemed to be. The ready made meals were always fresh and seemed to be a real draw, and the salad bar is awesome. I loved making my own salad for lunch and it is worth the drive and cost. I will be really sad to see it go. Odd how they are refusing to comment though, especially since they JUST put in online ordering. Fishy....
10/16/2012 3:51:20 PM
deerface says:
This is sad to hear! I loved popping in quickly to pick up some items after work. They also have such great lunch options and really great produce.
10/16/2012 3:52:09 PM
The Wolf says:
It is always a sad day when you lose local business dollars when places like this close.

However, they did it to themselves. Building a new store, one that is way to small and in the location they did is what have done them in. They banked on that location starting to boom by now and it hasn't.

They went into a location that was to green to support a neighborhood grocery store. Sure they couldn't compete with the super giants of the grocery world but their business plan didn't include competing with the $300 carts, their market was the 2 to 4 times a week $50 carts but with no houses near their new store they failed.
10/16/2012 3:57:05 PM
It is what it is says:
In their defence they probably don't have the buying power that the larger chains have, therefore they can't be as competative as we would like them to be.
10/16/2012 4:06:09 PM
peas08 says:
They have such a wonderful salad bar. I enjoyed it very much. Sad to see them go.
10/16/2012 4:06:55 PM
truthseeker says:
just recently they've change some of the product line to presidents choice in their stores. Has loblaws purchased these 2 locations to compete against walmarts 2 new about to open stores?
10/16/2012 4:10:30 PM
mercy mercy me says:
i for one, will miss Quality Market in Centennial Sq., a short walk and a friendly face, from the top down, the boys were kind,respectful and are great corporate citizens, the managers always had time for you, the cashiers always friendly, customer service was immediate and the shelf- stockers always had a smile for you and i witnessed them many times helping a customer, taking groceries to their car [not a common courtesy now a days],...i know, it's sappy, but it was my 'Cheers'....if financial hardship caused this, the are more deserving of support than ReGen [my opinion of course].....say it ain't so Joe
10/16/2012 4:11:34 PM
get_the_chip_off_your_shoulder says:
Very sad to hear about this. I met the family at the centennial square location when they first opened and from the get go this family always showed professional attitudes and courtesy to every customer and really did care about the ened product unlike other chain grocers who only care about the share holder's profits.
I tried to frequent he campus hill location as often as I could and told as many people as I could about the quality at the campus hill location and how most of the products in there were healthy and the temptation to fill your cart with processed garbage was less likely that way and a good choice for doing your groceries. If only the new condos at the corner of Golf Links and Oliver were already completed this would most likely give the quality market at campus hill a huge boost. I am not sure if there is more to the story than lack of business but no matter the reasons it is a sad day indeed. Best of luck to the owners in any future ventures.
10/16/2012 4:22:44 PM
ibrando says:
Let's not all miss the reason at the same time. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union and the owner were in the midst of contract negotiations! How can any unionized company compete with the likes of Walmart Supercentres?
10/16/2012 4:34:00 PM
gwilson010 says:
Ahhh yes, It's the evil unions fault. I'll let you in on a little secret... just because your in a union does NOT mean you make big bucks. I cant speak for Quality Market, but Westfort Foods which is also union (with UFCW) start the employees off at min wage.
10/16/2012 7:08:55 PM
fastball says:
Welcome to the world of "Walmart-ization".
This is what big-box stores do to local stores.
Those big guys can order 100,000 units of Product X, and get it for a certain price because they order in such big quantities.
A small local store doesn't get that big price markdown because they can't order 100,000 units of Product X - therefore their price is higher.
So now all our local shoppers now say "Well, their prices were too high...no wonder they went under." I understand saving money is important - but for the sake of a few dollars a month, 80 people lose their jobs.
Well, that's the way the New World Economy works. Heaven help the little local guy - there's not too much they can do when faced with the buying power of Walmart, FutureShop and Home Depot.
10/16/2012 4:36:05 PM
tsb says:
Very sad to hear, I've been a customer of the Centennial location for a long time and before that was a regular customer at County Fair. Outstanding customer service. My only complaint was that Centennial wasn't open on Sunday, forcing me to go elsewhere if I needed groceries that day.

I'll miss their fantastic produce section the most. No other grocery store in town sold vegetables that good for such low prices.
10/16/2012 5:06:02 PM
crankypants says:
Its sad to lose local businesses, but the truth is consumers want things that will fit their budget.
10/16/2012 5:07:16 PM
fastball says:
Yes, we're all thrilled to save a buck on laundry soap - but when you look at the big picture, it's sorta sad.
10/16/2012 5:24:38 PM
keiths31 says:
I'll e honest and say I didn't shop at either location very often. Too far from where I live. I would stop by the Campus Hill location on my way to camp quite often, but not to do my household shopping.
They did their best but going up against the Wal-Marts and Metros and Safeways is a tough go. I feel for the seniors and others who can't drive or travel long distances who live in downtown Fort William as they no longer will have a grocery store option. From having two just over a decade ago (or did Skaf's close earlier?), to none is a pretty life altering event. Hope something else moves in to both locations.
10/16/2012 5:28:11 PM
OhBoy says:
sad day indeed...my thoughts go to that family who offered Thunder Bay quality products and a family style business for so many years. My thoughts also go to those 80 people who are now out of jobs!
It's frustrating to read some of the comments, such as "they did it to themselves". Here somebody tried to offer this city something different with quality products and unfortunately it didn't work. Unfortunately it seems Thunder Bay is a "big box" store kind of place.
Dan and David Stezenko along with your family, thank you for many years of wonderful service! Sad day indeed.
10/16/2012 5:44:12 PM
The Badger Mountain Hermit says:
A real loss for folks living downtown. Now, it's literally MILES for the less-well heeled to travel for supplies.
10/16/2012 5:45:44 PM
a nonny mouse says:
I am hoping that the businesses were bought by someone else and made the boys a lot of money. The new store was especially nice, the soup and salad bar were a great asset and will be sorely missed if they are gone forever..and the staff were helpful and happy. Best wishes to the owners and staff...hoping that this closure is because of something good and not something bad.
10/16/2012 5:48:45 PM
SomeGuy says:
I wonder if they will become something like an Extra Foods, their is already one in Dryden, Marathon and Gerldaton and Wwith the recent change to Loblaws products.

I work right across the street from the Centennial Square location and am in their several times a day sometimes and their is always people. The produce is always fairly fresh which means it's turning over, same with their meat department.
10/16/2012 6:02:51 PM
collie says:
Facts are skewed!
Never ran 3 stores closed the County Fair as soon as new building opened no surprise knew that was gonna happen. Cant understand why and cant blame walmart cuz knew that they were gonna expand but still the 2 locations they had were isolated enough from walmart! Funny Business here that is for sure!!!!
10/16/2012 6:17:17 PM
DazeofThunder says:
I predicted when it opened it would be shut down within three years. I saw what they had to offer, where they were located and knew it was a bad choice to move from their previous location at County Fair Plaza. I don't know who did their relocation study but they certainly didn't do a very good job.
10/16/2012 6:21:17 PM
jazers says:
I have been dealing with the Centennial Square location for the past 24 years. Amazing community caring owners and a wonderful staff. They truly treated us as family. David and Dan, I will miss you and your stores and I wish you and your families nothing but the best in your future endeavors. Thank you for all your hard work over the years.
10/16/2012 6:22:52 PM
gardnerguzz says:
Stop shooting down the small business owners in our community. Remember all the good these people did and gave back to our community. Remember it's very tough to compete with Target and Walmart..... What do they give back?. Their buying power out ways the small business owner. I applaud them for going for it! Opening the new store was a gamble! But they had great fresh product, the veggies and bread are outstanding! I will miss shopping there and you won't see me at Walmart!
10/16/2012 6:54:21 PM
racine says:
For whatever reason for the sudden closure, we have to thank the Stezenko familyfor all the good things they have done for our community and local charities. Best of luck to the family and all of their wonderful staff. Going to miss that salad bar!
10/16/2012 6:57:23 PM
trent says:
I just got back from the Golf Links location and everything in the whole store is 40% off.
10/16/2012 6:59:40 PM
Lollymc says:
I am very saddened to hear this news.I was a 18 year full time employee at the Centennial Square location.I started working there a month before the store opened,all the new employees worked very hard to get the store ready for opening day.
I saw the store grow into the finest local grocery store,having the nicest,friendliest staff of any store in this city.No other store came close to the high level of customer service at Quality Market.
Thunder Bay has lost a treasure.
10/16/2012 7:14:02 PM
gardnerguzz says:
Stop shooting down the small business owners in our community. Remember all the good these people did and gave back to our community. Remember it's very tough to compete with Target and Walmart..... What do they give back?. Their buying power out ways the small business owner. I applaud them for going for it! Opening the new store was a gamble! But they had great fresh product, the veggies and bread are outstanding! I will miss shopping there and you won't see me at Walmart!
10/16/2012 8:12:16 PM
westfortscum says:
Quality market was one of the most expensive markets to shop at, but the other ones that are way too expensive are safeway, metro and superstore. But why spend 2 dollars more on a product when you can save 2 dollars at walmart. Now multiply that by all the items you buy, that is a huge savings. Why buy at a place that is more expensive? You'll just end up looking foolish when you bought the same item for dollars more. Walmart is the future and if more companies don't do what they do then we'll only have walmart to shop at. Do you think walmart just started out as a huge multi-chain? No it started with only one store and went from there. Quit bad mouthing walmart for making it big in this world.
10/16/2012 8:21:52 PM
Hmm..... says:
I heard that Westfort Foods may have bought them out so they could put additional stores in town.
10/16/2012 8:47:19 PM
Tom Sanderson says:
If you haven't heard a rumour by 10am lets start one.
Don't surmise, it only makes you look stupid.
10/17/2012 9:40:02 AM
Dan Dan says:
We have only the idiots who shop at Wal-Mart to thank for this. Save a couple of pennies, and destroy your community in the process. Too bad people can't see past the couple of pennies they save that make them poorer in the long run.
10/17/2012 3:40:46 PM
compgah says:
For those of you who came out for the 40 per cent off sale only, because you rather purchase from the bigger retail stores, shame on you for not being there, and supporting your local small business.
10/17/2012 4:28:10 PM
Fairyfloss says:
Actually, I've been a customer at the Centennial Square location since childhood, and just realized that the Stezenko brother that was usually there never once greeted me or even smiled at me! Hilarious. However, nearly all of the cashiers I've encountered, and the misc staff and managers who were always floating around the store, were consistently lovely people, and made shopping there such a pleasure! Although the prices were sometimes stunningly high, the location was convenient for me, and supporting local business (as much as I can afford to anyway) has become increasingly important to me. QM will be missed very much!
10/18/2012 4:52:18 AM
Fairyfloss says:
And how about let's not be juvenile over people coming out for the 40% off? They publicized the discount because they are trying to clear out as soon as possible. They don't do VIP lists for situations like this.
10/18/2012 4:59:09 AM
skeletorsbone says:
I've been shopping at the Centennial Square Q.M. since I was a homeless teenager roaming the isles for warmth and buying what ever food I could get with my change.They were always kind to me and never once asked me to leave. Now that I am an adult with a family this closure bothers me beyond words. It's very rare that you walk into a store where the employee's would say things like I remember your daughter when she was a baby and ask me how my work was going. Q.M. was like a "Cheers" environment. There was always a friendly and warm atmosphere as soon as you walked through those sliding doors. I really felt the saddness in the eyes of the employee's talking with them the last few days of its existence. Not only are there 80 good people without jobs but I feel for the seniors that kinda relied on the convenience that Q.M. offered. It really was a staple in our community and will be very much missed. Thank you for all the great service you provided us through the years. To all the employee's that I dealt with through the years I wish you guy's the best of luck in your future. Lots of love from the guy with the funny big ears and his family. One more thing I would like to add. I think that we loyal customers do deserve an explanation for the reasons you closed your doors.
10/22/2012 9:23:36 PM
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