OTTAWA -- OTTAWA -- A major grocery store in Ottawa’s ByWard Market is set to close its doors January 18th 2020.

Developer Claridge Homes plans on replacing the 24 Metro on Rideau Street with a 26 storey condo building.

Developer Claridge Homes purchased the property at 245 Rideau Street in 2013.

Metro is encouraging patrons to continue shopping at the Metro Beechwood on 50 Beechwood Avenue.

In a statement, Stephanie Bonk, communications with Metro says “The Metro store on Rideau Street will be closed as of January 18, 2020, due to the building of a condo and hotel property by the landlord. The impending closure was not Metro’s desired outcome. We are working with employees to find placement at other Metro locations where possible, while others are following the terms and conditions of their collective agreement within that location.

“Once the construction is complete, Metro will have a 35,000 sq. foot store on the main floor which will open in the next three to five years. In the meantime, customers are encouraged to shop at the Metro store at 50 Beachwood Avenue approximate two kilometres away.”

The nearest grocery store is a Loblaws on Rideau Street, a 6 minute walk away, as well as the Farm Boy at 50 Rideau.