We have virtually closed the business.
Tenants and customers are confused by the sudden closure.
What was the background?
“Marukatsu Department Store” has been in business for 100 years in a shopping park in the center of Asahikawa.
Due to the aging of the building, it was decided to close at the end of this month.
However, today the store is already quiet…
Shortly after 9:30 am, power transmission from the power company stopped.
In effect, we have closed the business.
The sudden end of business was on the 27th of last month, the president of Marukatsu’s operating company,
This is because Daisuke Endo was arrested on suspicion of attempted fraud in an attempt to defraud the government of the new corona cooperation support money.
Due to the president’s arrest, the company’s operations were at a standstill, and power transmission was suspended with unpaid electricity bills.
At the end of business earlier than planned, yesterday in the store…
(Reporter Yamazaki) “The time is before 5:00 pm, which is business hours, but each store is busy preparing to clean up after closing.”
Upon receiving the notice of power outage, tenants who entered the store were forced to close immediately, and 20 out of about 30 stores left all at once.
While customers were visiting, employees were carrying out products.
(Tenant employee) “The electricity will be turned off on the 6th.
I was really thinking about making some sales until the 23rd, so it went completely crazy.”
Even shoppers who had been going there for many years were perplexed by the sudden closure.
(Asahikawa citizen) “I’m very sorry. I’ve been indebted for a really long time.”
(Customer from Numata Town) “I heard that it will be until the end of this month, but it’s kind of a shame to hear that it’s going to end today in a hurry.”
“Marukatsu Department Store” practically ended its business in the middle of a closing sale.
According to the company that manages the building, it has been unable to contact Marukatsu’s operating company.