"Ah... so it's true." Voices from the Locals

In fact, rumors about the closure of the Ito-Yokado Kitami store had been circulating among locals for some time. With the official announcement, many locals were heard saying, "Ah... so it's true."

"Weekends meant going to Ito-Yokado, and buying snacks for the kids at Poppo was one of my simple joys. When Poppo and the restaurant at the entrance closed a few years ago, I had a feeling this might happen, but hearing the official news of the closure still makes me sad."

"I used to work there part-time as a student. As an adult, I became a customer, and it's sad to think that a place with so many memories is disappearing. There's still some time left, so I want to keep shopping there until the last day."

"I loved Ito-Yokado because it was compact but had everything I needed. I especially loved their private brand (PB) products, and I'm worried about not being able to get them anymore. I was sad to hear about the closure, but I suppose it's just a sign of the times."

Closing at the End of August 2024. A Supermarket Rooted in and Loved by the Community

For nearly 40 years, the Ito-Yokado Kitami store has supported the daily lives of the community. During our interviews, it was striking to hear many people say that despite the news, they would continue to shop there as their daily supermarket until it closes in August. In recent years, the number of large supermarkets has increased in Kitami, and for simply buying groceries, there might not be a significant price difference elsewhere.

However, it's a fact that the Ito-Yokado Kitami store has many fans of its atmosphere and product lineup. While there is much speculation about the future of the store building itself, its future developments are being closely watched. After the Kitami store closes, Ito-Yokado will have four remaining stores in Sapporo: the Kotoni, Ario Sapporo, Tonden, and Fukuzumi stores. For long-time customers, the future of these remaining four stores is also a matter of great interest.

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