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Read the press release here.

Wicker Park Staples Location Closing in May

By  Emily Morris and Alisa Hauser | April 21, 2014 2:05pm 

 Staples at 1300 N. Ashland Ave. in Wicker Park is closing May 3.
Staples at 1300 N. Ashland Ave. in Wicker Park is closing May 3.
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DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser

WICKER PARK — A Staples that has served as an anchor to a Wicker Park shopping mall is among the 225 stores nationwide that are slated to close, according to the company.

Signs were posted in the office supply store at 1300 N. Ashland Ave. to let customers know it plans to close May 3.

In early March, the Associated Press reported Staples' decision to close 225 stores by 2015 was prompted by the fact that nearly half of the store's profits are generated online.

Staples has 2,200 stores worldwide and 1,500 of them in the United States.

"As customers shift online, we are taking aggressive action to right-size our retail footprint," Staples spokeswoman Kaitlyn Reardon said in a statement Tuesday morning. "We are committed to providing great service and every product businesses need whether it’s in-store, online or through mobile."

Of the employees working at the closing Staples location, Reardon said, "We are working to provide transfer options where possible."

Closing signs went up last week, according to assistant manager Philip Ploski, who said the store employs three full-time workers and 10 part-time workers.

Ploski said customer reaction has been "sad."

"It is a neighborhood place, people have been coming here a long time," Ploski said. "Many of our customers walk here."

Larry Powers, vice president of leasing for Centrum, which bought the mall for $33 million in 2011 back when it was called West Town Shopping Plaza, declined to comment.

The shopping complex, which includes a Jewel food store, was recast as Wicker Park Commons in August.

When it closes, the nearest Staples location to Wicker Park will be at 2484 N. Elston Ave. Shoppers can go to stores at 4610 N. Clark St. and 1130 S. Canal St. as well.

"It was a huge convenience," said Jenny Kim, who co-owns the nearby restaurant Mott St. and was buying a printer at the store Monday.

Kim said she has been shopping at that Staples for at least four years.

"It's sad, we will miss it." she said.