Wegmans to close Brooks-Chili store

Wegmans announced Monday it is closing its store at 1885 Chili Avenue in the town of Gates.  The store is set to close early next month.

Wegmans blames rising operating costs and flat sales for closing the Brooks-Chili store.  It feels customers have chosen to shop at its larger stores or at competing grocery stores.

Our larger, high-volume stores offer more choice and a more stimulating environment for both employees and customers," said CEO Danny Wegman. Customers prefer shopping in those stores and employees thrive, because there are more opportunities to learn and advance."

Wegmans last closed a grocery store in early 2006 with its Driving Park store.

There are 196 employees at the Brooks-Chili location.  All will be offered positions at other area Wegmans.

Wegmans tells News 8 it does not plan to sell or lease the property.  Instead, it will use the space for internal purposes, but details of that have not been released or finalized.