NATICK, Mass. -- Sam's Club shoppers and workers were surprised Monday when the warehouse store's Natick location closed its doors without warning.

NewsCenter 5's Rhondella Richardson reported that employees received the news when they showed up for work Monday morning.

"I came in to shop, and they pulled me over and told me I can't," Sam's Club shopper Penny Holmes said.

Sam's Club greeters handed out closure notices. Ninety-six Sam's Club associates are out of work in Natick. Employees found out when they showed up for work Monday morning.

"They didn't have an opportunity to give notice, because it would have given a lot of people a chance to steal something, so they covered themselves," Sam's Club employee Nellie Rivas said.

"When this club, at least, stopped accepting credit cards, there was a visible fall off of business," another out-of-work employee said.

The Natick store, which is located off Speen Street and Route 9, isn't easy to get to compared to other stores near the Natick Mall.

"The bottom line: it didn't meet company expectations, and the bottom line is we take care of our associates and we're doing just that," Sam's Club spokesman Chris Buchanan said.

Some received severance packages, and there may be opportunities at other Sam's Clubs and Wal-Mart stores.

"The management says they were fair, but it's not fair. What about the customers? They should have given notices so I could pick up things," Holmes said.

Sam's Club representatives will be at the location until May 26 for membership refunds, merchandise returns and for the two brides with outstanding wedding cake orders.

If you are a Sam's Club member with any questions about the closing, please call Member Services at: 1-888-746-7726.