Washington Square Mall’s Piggly Wiggly store, long a staple for shoppers in that area, is closing its doors.

For months, word traveled around town about the store’s potential closure, but this past week, it became reality.

“Thank you for your continued patronage for these past years. We hope to continue to be of service to you at our 626 River Road location,” a flier reads.

In response to earlier questions, Piggly Wiggly’s corporate offices stated they had not received word of the closure as of Dec. 6.

The Piggly Wiggly franchise has 60 other individually owned locations throughout North Carolina, including the one on River Road, which will remain open. Before Piggly Wiggly, the space was home to Winn Dixie.

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, based in Virginia Beach, agreed to purchase Washington Square Mall in a $20 million deal around March 2015. The shopping center is also home to Belk, Kendall’s Hallmark, Bill’s Hot Dogs and Rite Aid, among many others.

The fate of Washington Square Mall has troubled many residents in recent months, as Sears and Piggly Wiggly are closing, along with the closing of Carmike Cinema 7 in early December, which was the only commercial movie theater in the county.

Officials have remained tight lipped on the changes occurring at the shopping center, although some reports cite rising rent prices. This could not be confirmed, however.

Piggly Wiggly store manager Wayne McKinney said he did not want to be interviewed for this article, but he did want to thank the customers for shopping at the mall location. He said he hopes customers will keep shopping at the River Road store.

There is no word on what business will move into the vacated space, although some reports have said Food Lion is a possibility.