Residents in Ontario town are trying to block local Walmart from shutting down

Locals in an Ontario town are banding together to save a community Walmart from its impending closure next year.

Last week, Coun. Jane Twinney for Ward 3 Newmarket said on social media that she was disappointed to learn from Walmart's head office that one of its Newmarket stores would close next year.

The store — located at 1111 Davis Dr., Unit 32, at the 404 Town Centre Plaza in Newmarket — is approximately a 13-minute drive away from another Walmart location just off Yonge Street.

"Although it is a smaller store, it has certainly been a convenient part of our neighbourhood for many years. I often ran into neighbours while shopping there, and I know many residents, myself included, appreciated being able to quickly pop in to pick up a few things without having to travel across town," Twinney wrote.

"At this point, I don't know what will replace the store, but I certainly hope the space will continue to serve the needs of our community. Sometimes it's the smaller, convenient places in our neighbourhoods that we appreciate the most, and I know this location will be missed by many."

Although the location is due to shut down in January, Twinney noted she was pleased to hear that employees at the affected store had been offered opportunities to transfer to other Walmart locations in Newmarket or Aurora.

Soon after the announcement, a petition was launched by Twinney to urge Walmart to reconsider its decision and keep the store open. At the time of this article's publication, the petition has garnered nearly 500 signatures and several comments in support.

"Many seniors depend on this location for their everyday shopping needs. For residents who do not drive or have mobility challenges, travelling across town to the Walmart on Yonge Street is not always practical or accessible," the petition reads.

"This store is conveniently located along public transit routes, including York Region Transit and the Viva service along Davis Drive, making it an essential shopping destination for those who rely on public transportation."

News of this Walmart's closure comes just as the big-box retailer is following through on its massive, multi-billion-dollar investment to expand its footprint across Canada, with new locations set to open in Brampton, Hamilton, Lindsay, Ottawa, Kingston, and London.