(CREDIT: Sam’s Club Facebook Page)

In a move that will affect an estimated 150 local employees and the city of Batavia’s sales tax revenue base, Sam’s Club in Batavia is targeted by the company for closure on Jan. 26, 2018.

(CREDIT: GoogleMaps)

The move is part of a nationwide series of store closings by the company, with locations in Indiana, Tennessee, Atlanta, Louisiana, Texas and New York to be shut down in the coming months.

As a source of big box sales tax revenues for nearly 20 years, the Sam’s Club closing in Batavia will have an adverse affect on the city’s operating budget including the budget just passed for 2018.

“At this time we are assessing the city’s financial position going into 2018 and putting a hold on the hiring of two new positions that were part of the budget,” said Batavia City Administrator Laura Newman. “We will also be discussing revisions to the 2018 Operating Budget to examine our ongoing expenses.”

The city of Batavia is disappointed in the closing of what appeared to be a very successful store. As this impacts the city’s revenues, city staff encourage everyone to shop at other Batavia stores and keep their sales tax within the community.

The city of Batavia has had recent success in filling larger retail spaces including the former Circuit City storefront location in the retail strip where Trader Joe’s, Walgreens and Smashburger now operate. A new Sierra Trading Post and Dollar Tree store are scheduled to open in the plaza in 2018.

SOURCE: city of Batavia news release