(Photo by Dala Bruemmer)

SYRACUSE — Rumors are true — Shopko Hometown in Syracuse will be closing. The Wisconsin-based company confirmed on its website, through a list of locations, which stores will be closing.

More than 200 locations will cease operations before June, according to the company press release Jan. 16.

“I haven’t been officially notified of Shopko closing, but this closure would hurt the community,” commented Syracuse Town Manager Mike Noe. “It would be a big loss, for sure. Everybody’s staying at home and shopping online. This falls in line with Sears and Kmart too — it’s hard to compete with online shopping.

“Hopefully we could get something else in there that could give the community what it needs.”

The Syracuse location’s estimated last date of operation is May 12, though there is a possibility of the store closing earlier. The closure is leaving local residents shocked and disgruntled, many commenting about how there’s “nothing else like it in Syracuse” due to the variety of products. Unfortunately, this may cause residents to drive the distance to big-name stores in other towns to get the items they need.

“We’d like to thank Shopko for being a vital part of our community and thank them for all they’ve done to further Syracuse,” commented the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce.

Shopko Hometown employees were unable to comment. Additional information about store closures and the company’s financial restructuring can be found at info.shopko.com.