the first round of closings was announced in late august 2006, when shaw's announced it would be closing six in october. these stores were in new britain, southington, and bridgeport, connecticut; and in worcester and new bedford, massachusetts. in september 2007, shaw's closed its stores in providence and pawtucket, rhode island; and waterbury, connecticut, because of poor sales. the closings left shaw's with 204 stores. a total of 224 workers were laid off or transferred.