Rolling Meadows Sam's Club to close by Jan. 22

Sam's Club, a division of Walmart Stores Inc., said Monday that it plans to close its Rolling Meadows store by Jan. 22 and eliminate 137 jobs as part of a companywide reduction of underperforming stores.

Affected workers will receive 60 days' pay, any eligible accrued vacation and severance pay, benefit coverage until March 11 and outplacement services, said company spokeswoman Tara Stewart.

The closing of Sam's Club was a surprise to Rolling Meadows officials, who received a special delivery letter about the closing Monday morning, said Mayor Ken Nelson.

"Staff is checking on how this will impact city income," said Nelson. "They are hoping to have some numbers to present at tomorrow night's city council meeting. We are disappointed."

The Rolling Meadows store opened in 2000 and is the only one scheduled to close in Illinois. The company plans to shutter 10 underperforming stores nationwide affecting as many as 1,500 workers. Workers were informed of the measures Sunday night, Stewart said.

By the end of this fiscal year, the company also plans to add six stores and complete 52 remodeled stores. In fiscal 2011, the company plan to add between five and 10 new, expanded or relocated stores and remodel between 60 and 80 Clubs.

Don't look for liquidation or clearance sales at the Sam's Club in Rolling Meadows. After it closes, the remaining merchandise will be moved to other Sam's Club locations, Stewart said.

The neighboring Walmart in Rolling Meadows will remain open, she said.

The annual fee-paying members at the Rolling Meadows store were encouraged to shop at the Sam's Club in Wheeling, Addison, Des Plaines or Streamwood. Sam's Club will offer full refunds to members who request them. Representatives will be on site to answer any questions or provide refunds, said Stewart.

•Daily Herald Staff Writer Deborah Donovan contributed to this report.