NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- The New Britain Wal-Mart is set to close in August, according to officials.

The announcement was made Wednesday morning.

Kenia Lopez said getting the news was a difficult way to start her vacation. She said she’s worked the the store for five years.

“This morning, somebody called me at my house and said the store is closing,” she said.

Lopez, the manager of the store's Lawn and Garden Department, said that like her 160 co-workers she was shocked.

“My husband is laid off right now, and we own a house, and we're just trying to see if I can fall into a position to go to another store,” the New Britain resident said.

"Over the years, we have actively supported the New Britain store in hopes that it would thrive and benefit the town," said Chris Buchanan, senior manager of public affairs and government relations for Walmart Stores Inc. "While our associates have been enthusiastic and supportive of the efforts, we have made the decision to close this store."

He said the company is hoping that a number of the employees who work there will be able to transfer to other Wal-Mart stores.

“It's not for sure we're going to get the same pay, the same position we have, the same hours, the same days, the same everything,” Lopez said.

But at least the possibility of a transfer is some hope, she said.

The company put out a statement praising the workers, but said that after 12 years of hoping the store would thrive, they've decided to shut it down.

As for the people who shop here, they said they hope the landlord finds a new store to take over the building.

“I think it's a shame, because the people in the area probably need this store, and it's really close for me to come here,” resident Richard Deluco said. “It's going to be an inconvenience now.”

“If you want to go to Wal-Mart, I guess you've got to go to the Berlin Turnpike now,” resident Carmelo Rodriguez said.