Sam's Club In Linden Closes Abruptly

LINDEN, NJ — The Linden Sam's Club was among many nationwide that closed unexpectedly on Thursday. The closures appear to affect locations nationwide.

A recording when you call the store, located at 1900 E Linden Ave., Linden confirms that the location is permanently closed, effective Jan. 11. It has been removed from the company's website as well.

The closure took employees by surprise, with one telling the Daily Record they were informed of the closures during a 9 a.m. meeting on Thursday. Employees were told about the meeting late Wednesday night.

Union County is also offering assistance to any county resident who was laid off by Sam’s Club Store closings. An estimated 200 full-time and part-time employees were laid off from the Linden store.

“We offer our sympathies to our residents who were laid off by this abrupt and unexpected closing,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Christopher Hudak, a resident of Linden, in a joint statement. “We would like these former employees to know that the County stands prepared to immediately assist with employment services through our various agencies, and we urge all to take advantage of them.”

Freeholder Granados, a liaison to the Workforce Development Board, and Freeholder Hudak have already ensured these county offices have been notified of the closing and are available to assist (more information is available at ucnj.org/sams-club-closures/):

Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center

Employment and skills training center, sponsored by the Freeholder Board, in conjunction with a number of partners.

Union County College, Kellogg Building, 5th Floor, 40 West Jersey St. in Elizabeth, 908-965-2992.

Union County One-Stop Career Centers

The American Job Center Operator manages the Union County American Job Centers, including the management and coordination of all workforce services with Union County workforce partners and the Freeholder Board, as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Services include career counseling, training, and career advancement for residents and employers.

Elizabeth, 921 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth, 908-558-8000.

Plainfield, 200 West Second St., Plainfield, 908-757-9090.

Sam's Club said in a tweet said the closures were to "better align our locations with our strategy." They confirmed that pharmacies in closed stores would stay open at least two weeks, and that they "will work with each state’s Board of Pharmacy to help guide this transition."

Calls to Sam's Club media representatives have not yet been returned.

Linden was not the only New Jersey location to close without warning; Mt. Olive also closed effective Jan. 11, a recording confirms. Locations across the country, including in Illinois and Texas, appear to have shut their doors for good Thursday morning.

News of the closures comes on the same day Walmart, which owns Sam's Club, announced they were raising their minimum hourly rate to $11.

It was not immediately clear if members would be getting refunds for their memberships. According to their membership terms, they will "cancel your membership and provide a refund of the amount paid for your current year Membership fee" if a member is "unsatisfied." The company is asking Twitter users to direct message them regarding membership refunds.

Other Sam's Club locations in Secaucus and Edison, or in Easton, Pennsylvania appear to still be open.

This is a developing story. Check back for more information.

(Image via Google Maps)

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