Like many others, we had hope during the last month that Albert Lea’s Shopko store would somehow make it through the Shopko corporation’s bankruptcy.

When Albert Lea’s store survived the first round of cuts that came along with the bankruptcy filing, we did not anticipate another round of store closures less than a month after the first.

However, that’s exactly what came Wednesday, when the company announced its plans to downsize its operation to only about 100 stores. Adding in the store closures announced this week, Shopko will now be closing 251 of its 367 stores as part of the restructuring, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where Shopko is headquartered. In Minnesota, the stores to close are in Hutchinson, Rochester, Austin, Worthington, Albert Lea, St. Cloud, Mahnomen, Cokato, Warroad, Paynesville, New Prague, St. Peter, Glencoe, East Grand Forks and St. James.

The Gazette said the company will go to auction Feb. 26. At that time, Shopko must find a buyer or investor, or show it can self-finance its operations post-bankruptcy by March 14, the newspaper said. If it cannot, it could trigger liquidation of the company.

When the announcement came that another major retailer was closing its doors in Albert Lea, our hearts — like many other people’s — sank.

It is both disappointing and saddening to hear when situations outside of our own control can cause such catastrophic consequences.

Shopko has been open in Albert Lea since October 1985 prior to the opening of Northbridge Mall.

During its years in Albert Lea, it has given many residents a reliable — and quality — option, not only for clothing, but also for household items, furniture, prescription medications and even plants during gardening season.

The effects of the closing will be extensive on the community, particularly for those residents without resources to seek out other retail options.

Though the situation may seem bleak, we know from Albert Lea’s history that our community is resilient, and we have confidence that will be the case again.

We encourage community leaders seeking to attract new retail opportunities to Albert Lea to ramp up those efforts even further.

And to retailers out there looking for a community in which to open a store, Albert Lea welcomes you with open arms.