Albany Stewart's Shops location closing for safety concerns

[Retail Regents]

A Stewart's Shops location on Manning and Central in Albany is closing, citing theft, robberies, and threats of violence.

https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/albany-stewarts-shops-closing-for-safety-concerns-robbery-theft-assault-manning-boulevard-central-ave-henry-johnson-albany-city-western-ave-dangerous-closure-gas-station-unsafe-concerned-dake-family-monday-national-local-#

[BillyGr]

May be the first time they've actually mentioned that as a reason for closing, though they have closed several in/around the city previously due to lack of options to make them into the current (larger) model that they are using (and this one was similarly older and probably fit that as well, even before the other issues).

[TheFugitive]

This is becoming an increasingly common story in retail.  I am kind of torn on how much of it to believe.  Yes, retail crimes are rising sharply, and as an employer you do have an obligation to think about the safety of your employees.

On the other hand perhaps these stores are just underperforming and the crime rate just provides them a convenient excuse to close the location.