Sam's Club has announced that it will close its three Alaska stores on Jan. 26 at the latest.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that hundreds of people visited the Fairbanks warehouse on Friday for a liquidation sale that symbolizes a shift in suppliers for many businesses. The Sam's Club is the largest bulk wholesale store within 350 miles (563 kilometers).

It is one of 63 that Sam's Club is closing — about 10 percent of its total number of stores. The other two Alaska stores closing are in Anchorage.

Trucking business Sourdough Express said on its Facebook page that it will conduct weekly Costco runs from Anchorage in order to meet demand in Fairbanks.

Alaska residents have also started an online petition urging Costco to open in Fairbanks.