MONROE — While the local Shopko store may not be closing in light of the corporation filing bankruptcy Jan. 16, it’s only a matter of time before pharmacy customers will no longer be able to use the location for their prescriptions.

Shopko spokesperson Michelle Hansen shared a statement Friday outlining the company’s plans to no longer continue pharmacy services. 

“As part of the Chapter 11 process, we have made the difficult decision to exit our pharmacy business,” Hansen wrote. 

Even this week, Hansen noted that any pharmacies not slated to close, like a number of Kroger-owned and CVS and HyVee locations throughout Wisconsin, will eventually be auctioned off. It could begin as early as this week, she noted. However, “leading into that process,” the pharmacies will remain open.

As of Friday, the Shopko pharmacy in Monroe was not on the list of those to close. Workers at the store have told customers that the location will close, but they are unsure when, waiting to receive notice from the company which purchases the pharmacy in the court-supervised auction process. 

According to the bankruptcy documents filed by Shopko parent company Specialty Retail Shops Holding Corp., the corporation has until March 14 to reorganize or it will have to liquidate its assets. A letter to customers points blame to decreased sales at physical retail stores. It assures customers that until the restructuring can be finished or a possible sale of the company can be made, Shopko will continue to operate as usual. 

It announced plans to close 105 stores, though Monroe was not on the list of multiple-state locations as of Friday. 

Chapter 11 relief was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nebraska in documents which report liabilities of up to $10 billion. Excessive debt was also a reason cited in the court filings for the bankruptcy claim. The company reported less than $1 billion in assets. 

The retailer will notify pharmacy customers via mail when the operation will close. The letter will also include information on where the prescriptions have been transferred. The timing of the closure will depend on when the buyer in the auction takes over the prescription files. 

According to information released by the company, the timing for the auction process is uncertain, though representatives plan to keep the restructuring website, info.shopko.com, updated periodically with new store, pharmacy and Shopko Optical closures.