Geneva will lose its BJ's Wholesale Club. The company confirms the outlet there will shut down at the first of the month.

BJ's will close a North Carolina outlet at the same time. 

Johnathan Hilfiger drives into Geneva from Fayette to do all his shopping, including groceries at BJ’s.

“You can buy bulk items there," Hilfiger said. "There are really no other stores around here where you can do so.”

Which is why he was so disappointed to hear the grocery store will be closing February 1.

The company says the decision follows a review of club performance, as well as real estate and market evaluations.

“We continuously evaluate our strategic footprint to ensure it supports our growth initiatives and drives value for members and shareholders," The company said in a statement. "We remain on track to open two new clubs in the first half of 2020 – one in Pensacola, FL. and one Chesterfield, MI, and are aggressively building our real estate pipeline moving forward. We expect to close one club in Charlotte, N.C. and one in Geneva, NY by February 1, 2020. We are committed to supporting our Team Members through this transition. Team members will be eligible to apply for positions at other BJ’s locations and will be eligible for severance.”

“I can’t buy in bulk around here anymore, and it’s going to cost me more gas to go to another destination.” Hilfiger said.

Town supervisor Mark Venuti says he wasn’t aware that the closure was coming.

Though there are residents like Alnarria Whitfield, who say while the decision won’t impact her much personally, she still feels bad for the store’s employees and her town.

“It’s sad because a business has to leave our town, and we don’t have too many stores in Geneva.” Whitfield said.

Tops Friendly Market closed in Geneva in 2018. Hilfiger believes it’s a sign of a dipping economy.

“It’s a shock, because you look at that and the economy? Hand in hand…,” Hilfilger said.

Members will be eligible for a refund of their membership fee, but the company expects many members to shop at other nearby locations and on the website.

The company also doesn’t expect charges associated with the closure to have a material impact on its financial results for fiscal year 2019.

Workers will be given the option to other locations.

The closing leaves four local BJ’s clubs in Henrietta, Victor, Greece, and Webster.