Employees at the Reitman's store in Portage la Prairie's west end were told last week the outlet will close at the end of April.

City Councillor Liz Dreidger's the chair of the Economic Development Committee, and is sad to hear  it.

"Just in light of some other economic development," she says, "Positive things that have been happening. We're extra sad to see a store like this pull out of Portage, because we're going to need places for people to shop."

Driedger outlines what businesses are telling the city they need in order to remain here.

"In order for them to make a profit, we should be bringing more citizens into Portage la Prairie. We need to get the city to grow. And, yes, that is our responsibility," she acknowledges, "And we are doing everything we can to make that happen."