Bel Air Store on Elk Grove Blvd to Close

Raley's plans to shutter its Bel Air store at 8787 Elk Grove Blvd within the next two months.

The closure will affect 81 employees, said Raley's spokesperson John Segale. The store, near Williamson Drive, is one of two "underperforming" locations the company is closing in Northern California. The other is in Modesto.

"It was clear that the sales figures [at the store] will not be able to match increasing operating costs," said Segale. He cited growing competition from non-union retailers like Walmart as one factor affecting the company's bottom line.

Some employees will face layoffs, while more senior workers may have the option to transfer to other stores, he said.

Elk Grove's three other Bel Air stores—one of which is a three-minute drive away from the location slated for closure, at 9435 Elk Grove Blvd—will remain open.

City of Elk Grove spokesperson Christine Brainerd said local economic development officials were disappointed to hear of the planned closure.

"That store has been part of the community for decades," she said, adding that the city would do what it could to help to fill the space as quickly as possible.

Do you shop at Bel Air? What do you think of the closure?