For the last two years Gary Baarda has been shopping at a Vons supermarket in Canoga Park. But earlier this week, he learned that the store will close soon. For the 63-year-old disabled resident of Canoga Park the news was devastating.

“A lot of people in my community count on that store,” Baarda said. “There are many seniors who live near the store, and I don’t know where they’re going to go. How many major stores do we have in the area? There are not too many of them.”

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The Vons store at 8201 Topanga Canyon Blvd. will close on April 20, according to a supermarket flier. Until then, the market will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Vons customer, Bob Bladow from West Hills, talks about the store closing soon outside of the Vons grocery store on Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Roscoe Blvd. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

A notice that was available to customers as they checked out of the Vons grocery store on Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Roscoe Blvd. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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A Vons customer shops at the Vons grocery store on Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Roscoe Blvd. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Deep discounts of 10 to 90 % are emptying the shelves. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Vons customer, Alan Lien from Winnetka, talks about the store closing soon outside of the Vons grocery store on Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Roscoe Blvd. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Vons customer Marisol Esquivel, from Canoga Park, talks about the closing of the store on Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Roscoe Blvd. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)



In the following weeks, the store will offer discounts, from 10 to 90 percent, to shoppers who have a membership card, the flier said.

No plans have been submitted to the city regarding the future of the Vons site, said Jake Flynn, a spokesman for L.A. City Councilman Bob Blumenfield, whose district includes the supermaket.

Baarda is among many community members who say the store closure will have a direct impact on their community.

Marisol Esquivel, a 45-year-old resident of Canoga Park who has been shopping at Vons for 15 years, heard the news this week.

“I was shocked,” she said. “My neighbour told me that Vallarta might move in here, but you want to have other good stuff. You want to to have many options.”

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Driving to another grocery store will be out of the way for some customers trying to beat the traffic during the afternoon rush hour.

“This store is on my way from work,” said Alan Lien, a 63-year-old resident of Winnetka. “I’ve been coming to the store as long as it’s been open. It’s very convenient. Now, I will have to deviate from the path, and that’s not something you need during the 5 o’clock traffic.”

Vons distinguished itself with a heavy emphasis on main dishes, salads, appetizers, desserts and beverages. It also delivers groceries in major cities.

In 2015, Albertsons, which owns Vons, bought Safeway Inc., the nation’s second largest grocery chain, acquiring about $9 billion in debt.

Meanwhile, the store has been facing fierce competition from discount stores, which have been adding produce aisles and online retailers such as AmazonFresh and Instacart.

On Tuesday afternoon, shoppers at Vons were pushing their carts filled with groceries, vegetables and toiletries.

In the store, some shelves in the poultry and canned-food sections were empty. An employee said its staff will eventually be transferred to other locations.

“Closing an underperforming store is always a tough decision, but we are focused on growing our business by being the favorite local supermarket, and running great stores where people love to shop,” said Jenna Watkinson, spokeswoman for Albertsons Cos. in an email, adding that the landlord of the Canoga Park site will market the property in an effort to bring in a new tenant.

Representatives for Vallarta Supermarkets were not immediately available for comment.

Catherine Tran said she shopped at Vons about twice a week.

“That’s sad,” said the 18-year-old resident of Canoga Park. “We will have to go out of the way to buy groceries.”

Some customers, like Baarda, say they will miss the store because they won’t be able to buy Signature brand products carried by Vons that include prepared foods and fresh produce.

“That’s going to affect me and other disabled people in the area,” Baarda said, adding that the store has not just good location but also convenient hours. “I don’t know where I’m going to go now.”