MANATEE — Stung by the recession and competition from Big Box stores, Albertsons grocery store chain announced Tuesday it is closing 13 stores in Florida, including its Manatee Avenue location in Bradenton and its Lockwood Ridge Road store.
The stores are closing June 9. The move leaves only four stores operating in the state — in Clearwater, Altamonte Springs, Oakland Park and Largo.
An estimated 1,100 employees will be affected, said Albertsons Public Affairs Director Christine Wilcox. Of those, 77 are located at the 7415 Manatee Ave. store, which has been operating since 1982, and 90 at the 8415 Lockwood Ridge store.
"We've had to make a strategic decision in Florida to go with the stores that are doing the best," Wilcox said. "Everything from the cost of fuel to paying utilities has had a big impact."
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