Now Another Minnesota Cub Food Store Is Closing Permanently
It wasn't too long ago that Minnesota's own Cub was making news by closing a popular location in the Twin Cities-- and now it's happened again.
If trying to keep up with all these store closing announcements here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes recently is giving you a serious case of deja vu (all over again), you're not alone. In just the past few weeks, we've seen a 72-year-old Minnesota bakery announce that it was closing for good.
Then there was the sudden, permanent closing earlier this summer of this bar and restaurant that had been in business near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis for over 50 years.
And even though it's one of Minnesota's more popular brands, Cub Foods was in the news back in June when it made the unpopular decision to close its Uptown grocery store location in Minneapolis, though that closing was announced as being only temporary.
Cub is another one of those true Minnesota companies. It was founded in Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1968 and still retains its corporate headquarters there. Its familiar name (which used to be 'Cub Foods,' but is now just 'Cub,' by the way) actually has a hidden meaning.
I'd always just figured that the name 'Cub' was a reference to the abundant wildlife that also calls Minnesota home. That's not a bad guess, seeing as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that between 13,000 and 18,000 black bears currently make their home here in Minnesota. So cubs ARE somewhat familiar here.
ALSO INTERESTING: Cub Is Easy to Say, But Did You Know the Most Mispronounced Name in America Is Here in MN?
But that's not what 'Cub' means, however. According to Grocery.com, the 'cub' in Cub Foods is instead an acronym or abbreviation for the phrase 'Consumers United for Buying,' which likely refers to Cub having been one of the first whole discount food stores in the U.S.
The Cub Foods chain has been the property of several different owners but is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of UNFI (United Natural Foods). The store finder page on the Cub website says there are currently 106 Cub food stores here in Minnesota, along with one location in Rockford, Illinois.
However, there will soon be one less location, as Cub has confirmed that it will close its location in the Midway Marketplace in St. Paul later this summer. In a letter sent to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Cub said the store, located at 1440 University Avenue West, will officially close to the public on August 2nd, 2025.
The notice also said that 96 Cub employees will be laid off during this closing, with their 'separations set to commence' on September 22nd, 2025. Cub also announced earlier this month that it was closing several locations in northern Minnesota, as well.
While Cub is certainly a popular brand here in the Gopher State, how does it rank compared to other grocery store chains across the country? Keep scrolling to take a look at the Most Popular Grocery Store Chains in the U.S.
Listen to Curt St. John & Samm Adams
Weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
More From MIX 108
