No date has been announced for when the Barrie View Drive location in the city’s south end will close; stores in Orillia and Owen Sound were shut down earlier this year.
CAA South Central Ontario is closing its retail outlets in Barrie and Newmarket, marking the end of two long-standing physical locations as the organization transitions more of its services online.
Olivia Hodgkiss, communications specialist for CAA South Central Ontario, confirmed that both locations will be closing, though no official date has been set.
“This decision reflects ongoing changes in consumer preferences and the broader evolution of the retail landscape, as more members choose to access services through digital and remote channels,” Hodgkiss said. “As our organization adapts to these shifts, we remain focused on delivering convenient, accessible, and high-quality service to our members in the ways they prefer.”
While both the Barrie View Drive location and Newmarket’s Davis Drive store are set to close, members can still access CAA’s complete range of services via its call centre and online options, she added.
“Our commitment to supporting our members remains unchanged,” Hodgkiss said. “We would like to sincerely thank the Barrie and Newmarket communities for their many years of loyalty, trust and support. It has been our privilege to serve this community, and we are grateful for the relationships we have built over time.”
Barrie Today asked how many employees would be affected by this closure, but that question went unanswered. Inquiries about how moving services online could impact residents who may not be tech-savvy or who lack internet access also received no response.
A statement on the company’s website says CAA is “evolving” its retail network to better align with how members want to connect.
“This change is driven by a big shift in consumer behaviour and shopping preferences, as more members choose a mix of in-person, digital and phone interactions,” it said.
The statement acknowledged that some CAA store locations will close due to this shift. It added that these decisions “have been made thoughtfully and with care, with a strong commitment to putting people first.”
“Supporting our associates through this transition remains a priority, and we are working closely with each individual to ensure they have options and guidance along the way,” noted the statement.
Earlier this year saw closures at locations in Orillia and Owen Sound.
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