FORKED RIVER – It seems we have reached the end of a few different eras, as large chain stores are closing left and right in local towns.
With the recent closing of once-big names such as Sears, Toys R Us, and even K-Mart in local towns, this trend has reached Forked River with the recent announcement that Staples on Route 9 will be closing this summer.
According to a Public Relations spokesperson for Staples, the Forked River location will be closing on June 8.
“We continually evaluate our store performance to ensure we’re operating the business in the best way. As customers shift online, we are taking aggressive action to right-size our retail footprint. We are committed to providing great service and every product businesses need whether it’s in-store, online or through mobile,” she stated.
Staples corporate is keeping specific details as to the reason for closure to themselves, and could not answer whether this points to the closure of other Staples locations.
Although the Forked River location is shutting down, Staples noted that customers can still shop at the Manahawkin and Toms River locations or online.
This closure is yet another in a recent series of goodbyes to large chain stores, locally. In March 2018, Jersey Shore Online reported that Toys R Us in Toms River was facing closure of all stores, planning to “liquidate inventory of all 735 stores in the United States and Puerto Rico,” according to a press release.
Not to mention the change of hands in the Route 72 plaza in Manahawkin that was reported back in November 2017. With the closing of the sizeable K-Mart at the west end of the plaza, established businesses like TJ Maxx and Michaels (already located in the plaza) will be moving into the vacant K-Mart spot.
