The answer to what's going on at Super 88

Photo/Pam Berry

Perhaps you've noticed bad signs at Super 88 recently -- poorly stocked shelves, the use of C-Mart plastic bags. I've tried to reach management with no success, but today Globe correspondent Christina Pazzanese spoke with attorney Glenn Frank, general counsel for Super 88 owners Peter and George Luu.

She reports here that the Asian grocery chain is closing three of its six stores. The Quincy, Chinatown, and South End locations are closing. There are viable alternatives near all of those branches -- Kam Man, C-Mart, and Ming's, respectively.

It looks as though Super 88's Allston, Dorchester, and Malden stores will remain open. The fate of the Allston branch is particularly concerning because that's where Boston's only Asian food court is located.

Frank says the closings were due to the stores' not performing as well as expected.

ADDENDUM: Here's a link to a newer, more in-depth story. It says:

"Frank said the company will now refocus the business on its larger, remaining stores, in Allston, Dorchester, and Malden -- which are all 20,000 square feet or larger. In the next two to three months, Super 88 will add new shelving and freezer and refrigeration systems and expand the food court areas. The company will also narrow the selection of products it carries while beefing up quantities of certain products."