The Casey’s General Store at 2617 Willis Ave. is slated to close later this month after nearly half a century of service to Perry’s east side, according to employees at the store who learned Tuesday of the impending job losses.
The 1,900-square-foot building, known as Casey’s number 26, opened in 1976. It is scheduled to cease operations Sept. 23, an employee told ThePerryNews.com.
The Casey’s store at 1308 First Ave. is number 2698, and the company’s newest Perry outlet at 601 Soumas Ave. in the Perry Industrial Park is number 4319.
“Our positions with Casey’s will be held if we transfer,” said one of the store’s four full-time workers. “Neither our hours are guaranteed nor current positions, but we can transfer to other locations.”
Three part-time employees will also lose their jobs.
“We’re unsure and apprehensive,” one worker said. “People are having to decide whether to step down, travel or relocate with only three weeks notice and no offer to help except the Employee Assistance Program.”
Katie Petru, director of communications in Casey’s corporate headquarters in Ankeny, said Monday that “Casey’s is proud to be part of the Perry community” and proud of their new store at 601 Soumas Ave.
“With the addition of the new store, we have made the difficult decision to close the store at 2617 Willis Avenue,” Petru said. She confirmed that workers at the Willis Avenue store “will have the opportunity to shift to a different store” and continue working at Casey’s.
“We appreciate the community’s support and look forward to continuing to serve our Perry guests and neighbors,” she said.
