Mattawa residents petition to keep discount store

Residents of the Town of Mattawa are petitioning to save Scott's Discount Store, a 20-year staple set to close in August. Eric Taschner has more.

Residents of Mattawa are rallying to save a downtown business that has been a community staple for years.

Scott’s Discount, a store that has served the town for two decades, is set to close at the end of August. A petition is now circulating in an effort to reverse the decision.

Only discount store in town

“We don’t really have any other discount stores other than the dollar store here, and the town is getting smaller and smaller,” one shopper told CTV News.

The store’s parent company, Giant Tiger, said the decision to close was not “taken lightly” and followed careful analysis.

Local man championing efforts to save the store

Local resident Mike Guay has launched an online petition, which has gathered nearly 1,000 signatures, urging Giant Tiger to reconsider.

“It’s the only place with affordable groceries and kids’ clothing,” Guay said. “For one, it’s a huge thing because half the kids in town are dressed from that place.”

Through conversations, Guay said he has learned about a dozen employees will lose their jobs.

“Hoping that someone, you know, with more power can speak to those higher up and see what the problem is,” he said.

Giant Tiger said it is encouraging customers to visit its nearest locations in North Bay or Deep River.

“A lot of people that go to Scott’s can’t go and travel there,” another shopper said speaking with CTV News.

“They’re elder, you know what I mean? Or they’re constantly on the go and working. I’ve been talking to everybody, and everyone’s distraught. I mean, the biggest thing is going to be the jobs. Some people have been there for 15 years.”

Town officials in the dark

Mattawa Mayor Raymond Belanger told CTV News by phone Wednesday afternoon that the town has reached out to the company for more information but has been left in the dark.

Shoppers are hoping to save the store. The petition can be found at SaveScotts.ca.