By Madhu Mayer

The Village of Plainfield has been dealt a major blow as the Walmart Supercenter on Route 59 and 127th Street will close its doors on March 10.

Felicia McCranie, director of corporate affairs for Walmart, said the decision to close the Plainfield store was made after a review of more than 5,000 stores nationwide for financial viability. She said the Plainfield store “underperformed,” despite the fact Walmart was completely remodeled last year with several self-check out lanes at the front of the store and an expanded grocery area.

McCranie said employees of the Plainfield store are eligible to transfer to nearby stores, as Walmart operates in nearby Shorewood, Joliet, Bolingbrook and Romeoville.

“We look forward to serving (customers) at our other stores in the surrounding communities and on Walmart.com,” she said in a statement.

Employees were told of the closing on Thursday. One worker who asked to remain anonymous said the news came as a shock.

“This was something we never expected,” she said. “When a place like Walmart closes, that really is a sign that the economy is going downhill fast.”

Plainfield Village Administrator Joshua Blakemore said he, too, was surprised by the announcement.

“We are disappointed to see it go,” he said. “We thought it was doing well. But we will start the process of finding a suitable commercial development (for this site).”

Blakemore said Walmart contributes about $1 million in sales taxes to the village annually.

Customer Heather Majewski of Plainfield said she will miss the store once it closes.

“I have been shopping here since it opened in the 2000s,” she said. “This place has a great selection of products at affordable prices. I cannot believe it will be gone and this is a huge spot that will be vacant.”

The only other Walmart store in the Chicago area that will also close on March 10 is in Homewood.