CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The larger Atlantic Superstore in Charlottetown will no longer be open 24 hours.
A sign posted inside the store’s entrance last week said the new hours were effective March 3.
The store will close each night at midnight and re-open at 7 a.m., except for Sundays, when it will remain on a noon to 10 p.m. schedule.
A spokesperson for Loblaws’ head office in Halifax said the change is being made to stay consistent with the chain’s other stores in New Brunswick and P.E.I.
The store had been open 24 hours for several years.
The Sobeys location on Babineau Drive (by Canadian Tire) remains open 24 hours a day.
“It assumes everyone does work a 9-to-5 job and has access to the store during regular shopping hours. In reality, for a lot of Islanders, that’s not the case.”
-Chelsea Perry
Former UPEI student Chelsea Perry says she’s disappointed in the change because it makes it harder for people who don’t work a regular day shift.
“It assumes everyone does work a 9-to-5 job and has access to the store during regular shopping hours. In reality, for a lot of Islanders, that’s not the case.
“We’ve got a lot of shift workers, whether it’s in health care, customer service. It just strikes me as bizarre.”
On the other hand, the new hours mean fewer people working overnight, Perry said.
But she expects students won’t be happy with the change. Between classes, studying and, for some, working, there isn’t enough time in the day.
“I think there’ll be a lot of negative reaction from the student body.”
Sam Ferguson said he works nights and often shops at Superstore around 3 or 4 a.m.
“I guess I’m a Sobeys customer now.”
The hours have not changed at the smaller Superstore in West Royalty.
