The Waterworks Walmart set to close in November

The Walmart in The Waterworks shopping center will close its doors in early November, before Black Friday and the official holiday shopping rush, company officials confirmed.

Felicia McCranie, Walmart communications director for the North and East United States, cited underperforming sales at the store.

It is scheduled to close by Nov. 11.

No one is expected to lose their job, McCranie said.

All of the store associates will be offered a transfer to local Walmarts. There are eight within 20 miles of The Waterworks, including in Frazer and Harrison.

McCranie said the decision was difficult and was made after careful review.

Officials considered several factors, including historic and current financial performance, and the closing is in line with the threshold that guides the company’s strategy to close underperforming locations, McCranie said.

McCranie said company officials are supportive of the store leadership and associates, and the decision to close doesn’t reflect on their hard work and customer service.

The store at 877 Freeport Road is one of seven anchors in the J.J. Gumberg Co.-owned shopping plaza along Freeport Road near Aspinwall.

Walmart opened there in October 2003 and is one of the largest sites in the outdoor plaza, spanning more than 80,000 square feet.

Ira Gumberg, chairman and CEO, released a statement: “We have enjoyed a long relationship with Walmart at The Waterworks for the last 20 years. And, while it is unfortunate that they have elected to leave, we are confident that we will have a replacement tenant named in the near future as demand at The Waterworks, one of Pittsburgh’s premier shopping centers, remains strong.”

In total, there are 160 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs in Pennsylvania.

“We are grateful to the customers who have given us the privilege of serving them at our Pittsburgh location,” McCranie said.