The Closing of Stop & Shop in Norwood, Massachusetts – July 18, 1983

their beloved Stop & Shop supermarket was closing its doors on July 30. The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the community, particularly among the elderly tenants who relied heavily on the convenient location and services offered by the store.

For Mildred Lane, vice president of the tenants association, the closure of Stop & Shop was a personal loss. As an elderly resident who did not drive, she had grown accustomed to the store’s accommodating policies, which allowed her to wheel her carriage back to her apartment for later pickup. “It was real convenient,” Lane said, reflecting on the store’s services. Her sentiments were echoed by fellow residents Jessie O’Brien and Phyllis A. McDonough of the Norwood Housing Authority, who also expressed their disappointment at the closure.

The Stop & Shop in question had been a staple in the community since its establishment, with a loyal customer base that had rallied around it during a previous crisis in 1979. At that time, the store was on the company’s list of outlets headed for closing due to low profits. However, after customers apparently rallied and business picked up, the store was given a new lease on life. This time, however, the circumstances were different.

According to Stop & Shop spokesman Michele Vaughters, the market’s corner lot was simply not large enough to accommodate the “significant expansion” required for the store to remain competitive. The store had been rated “low-volume” in terms of sales for a number of years, and the current building could not house all the features that customers wanted. A super store, which included amenities such as a florist, butcher, gourmet food section, in-store bakery, salad bar, discount book store, and appliances, was deemed necessary to stay competitive.

Vaughters explained that Stop & Shop planned to open five more super stores this year, similar to the one opened in Pembroke last year. The decision to close the Norwood store was largely driven by the lack of space available on its corner lot. Vaughters assured that the company would look for a new tenant compatible with the Norwood community, ruling out any establishments like adult bookstores.

The closure of Stop & Shop had significant implications for the residents of Willow-Wood Terrace and other nearby communities. Phyllis A. McDonough suggested that one of Norwood’s other supermarkets provide shopping transportation for tenants not only at Willow-Wood Terrace but also at the authority’s Brookview Village project on Everett Street. Star Market on Nahatan Street had previously offered this service to tenants of the Nahatan Village apartments.

As the news of the closure spread, Selectmen Chairman Thomas A. Riolo expressed his understanding that protesting to the company to reconsider was fruitless. He believed that if the store was not making enough money, it would be impossible for it to stay open. Approximately 65 employees had been offered jobs in other stores, ensuring that no one would lose their job or be laid off.

The closure of Stop & Shop marked a significant change in the retail landscape of Norwood, Massachusetts. As the town continued to evolve and grow, residents were left to wonder what the future held for their beloved community. The legacy of Stop & Shop in Norwood served as a reminder of the importance of community support and the impact that businesses can have on the lives of those around them.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger