Two franchises close south locations within days

TOPPERS Restaurant and Bar has closed its doors at South Park Mall, San Fernando, making it the second franchise to shut up shop at a mall in south Trinidad within the last week.

The announcement came in a post on its Facebook page on January 2 but it did not say when the closure comes into effect or give a reason for the move.

"As we close our doors after almost nine years, we would like to thank everyone who has dined with us, we are grateful for your support and loyalty through the years, we are truly humbled and honoured to have served you; you made Toppers the brand it is today."

However, it said its Grand Bazaar branch will remain open and it looks forward to serving the public "for many more years."

Newsday contacted the restaurant's head office but was unable to reach the manager for comment.

On December 29, the Home Store announced it would be closing its branches at C3 Centre and the Falls at West Mall immediately, due to "circumstances beyond our control."

However, it said the Barataria, Pennywise Plaza, Chaguanas, and East Gates Mall branches will remain open.

Shelves were bare, with many goods already moved out, as workers were busy packing up merchandise on January 2. The manager did not comment on the move and directed Newsday to speak to head office.

Newsday contacted its parent company, LJ Williams Ltd, but was told the marketing manager was not around to answer questions.

On December 24, Excellent Stores announced it too would be closing its C3 branch as it moved to a temporary location at South Park. It said this store will open its doors in February until a substantive two-storey store opens in July/August.

It said the new, modern, larger home will have a fresh, updated layout to make the shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable, a wider selection of products and increased convenience, with a larger, better-organised space to find favourite items quickly. The release did not say where this new home would be.

Workers were also busy putting away merchandise at the C3 store on January 2.