Cub Foods To Close St. Paul Midway Store, 96 Employees Affected

Cub Foods To Close St. Paul Midway Store, 96 Employees Affected

ST. PAUL, MN — July 22, 2025 — Cub Foods has announced the upcoming closure of its Midway store in St. Paul, a long-standing grocery location that has served the community for decades. The store, located at 1440 University Avenue West, will shut its doors permanently on August 2, resulting in the layoff of 96 employees, according to a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) filing with the state.

The announcement marks a significant shift in the retail landscape of the Midway neighborhood and raises fresh questions about food accessibility, job security, and the future of the University Avenue corridor.

A Strategic Closure

Cub Foods’ parent company, UNFI (United Natural Foods Inc.), confirmed the closure as part of its broader effort to streamline operations and reallocate resources toward higher-performing stores across Minnesota. UNFI officials emphasized that the decision was driven by underperformance at the Midway location, coupled with continued investments in more promising markets, such as a recently remodeled Cub store in Burnsville.

“The Midway store has faced persistent operational challenges, including staffing shortages, inadequate equipment, and safety concerns,” UNFI noted in a statement. Customers had also increasingly complained about missing shopping carts, shuttered self-checkout lanes, and declining overall service in recent months.

Workers and Union Response

The closure will affect 96 workers, most of whom are union-represented. According to the WARN filing and union officials:

• 84 employees are members of UFCW Local 1189,
• A small number are represented by BCTGM Local 22,
• And five workers are non-union.

UFCW Local 1189 President Jennifer Christensen said the union was notified of the closure and is now working to support impacted workers. “Many of our members have layoff protections in place, including priority transfer rights and severance pay,” she said. “We’re doing everything we can to help secure positions for them at other Cub stores or UNFI facilities.”

Layoffs are expected to begin as early as September 22, with some employees remaining on through early October as part of a phased exit plan.

Community and Economic Impact

The Midway Cub closure follows a series of major retail departures from the Midway Shopping Center, including Walmart in 2019 and T.J. Maxx in 2023. The departure of Cub—a Minnesota-founded brand—leaves another significant vacancy in an area still recovering from economic disruption and civil unrest following the 2020 uprising.

Property owner Kraus-Anderson Realty says efforts are underway to secure a new anchor tenant. However, residents and community leaders worry that the wave of closures signals a long-term decline in retail options in a neighborhood where reliable, accessible grocery stores are vital.

Pharmacy Transfers and Alternative Options

As part of the transition, pharmacy prescriptions currently filled at the Midway Cub will be transferred to the Roseville Cub Pharmacy at 1201 Larpenteur Avenue West, about four miles away. Cub has also directed customers to nearby locations in Roseville, West St. Paul, and Brooklyn Park, where services and product availability remain stable.

Despite this closure, the Midway neighborhood will not become a food desert, as grocery chains like Target and Aldi continue to operate within a close radius.

Looking Ahead

While UNFI has made no public promises about filling the vacant Cub space, its decision highlights the growing volatility in the grocery sector—particularly in urban neighborhoods grappling with demographic shifts, rising crime perceptions, and economic inequality.

As one of the few unionized grocery workforces in the region, the impact on Cub workers also brings renewed attention to labor protections and the broader future of union jobs in retail.

Summary

• Store Location: 1440 University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN
• Closure Date: August 2, 2025
• Employees Affected: 96
• Union Representation: UFCW Local 1189, BCTGM Local 22
• Layoffs Begin: September 22, 2025
• Pharmacy Services: Transferred to Roseville Cub

MinneapoliMedia will continue monitoring developments around this closure, including potential reemployment efforts, community impact, and future tenants for the Midway site.

MinneapoliMedia