Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
In a major development in the local grocery buxiness, Kroger Co. today announced the purchase of all seven stores owned by Owen's.
The announcement ends the 45-year reign of Owen's Super Market as the main locally-owned grocery store in the Warsaw area.
Of the seven stores owned by Owen's, three are in Warsaw, including a Sav-A-Lot franchise store opened last year on Center Street. Sav-A-Lot is just west of the newest Owen's - constructed just three years ago.
Kroger officials would not comment on whether any stores would close.
Kroger said it plans to continue operating the Owen's store under the same name.
As for possible future closings, a Kroger spokesman in Indianapolis said no decisions have been made.
But a Kroger employee said they were told their store would soon close. The store is one of the smallest in the national chain.
One person said management told workers the closing could come within a year and possibly as soon as a month.
In addition to the Warsaw stores, Owen's operates two in Huntington, one in Auburn and one in Ligonier. Super Value has a 30-day right of first refusal on the Sav-A-Lot and Ligonier stores.
Kroger has 89 stores in Indiana and 1,386 stores in 24 states.
Kroger spokeswoman Sonya Saunders said one forthcoming change will be the inclusion of Kroger brand items at the Owen's stores.
Kroger has upward of 4,000 brand-name items.
Don Becker, president of Central Kroger marketing in Indianapolis, said the acquisition helps strengthen the company's presence in northeastern Indiana.
"Kroger will provide Owen's Super Market customers enhanced variety and value," Becker said.
Owen's owner, Joe Prout, whose father-in-law, Owen Emerick, started the small chain, has been in the grocery business for 45 years.
Prout said in a prepared statement that he plans to retire, but will miss the employees and customers.
"I know Kroger will operate fine stores, continuing the Owen's traditions," Prout said.
Kroger said it paid cash for the purchase, but did not disclose the amount.
Uncertainty about the future of jobs left employees for both stores wary.
Some Owen's employees said their colleagues are nervous.
But Tom Miller, a part-time produce worker who's been employed off and on for 17 years, said he was assured that their jobs were safe.
"If the store manager is giving that sentiment, I don't think there's any (immediate) worry," Miller said.
Miller said he was disappointed with the announcement. "This is not my full-time job, but they've always treated me so nicely," Miller said.
Customers at Owen's were also disappointed.
"God, I hope they don't change," was the reaction from an Akron man who identified himself as Jim.
He said he was never impressed with Kroger and said he would likely shop elsewhere.
"I don't know what I'll do now - quit eating?" he joked.
Marilyn Langley, a North Webster resident, said she's been a regular Owen's customer for five years, in part because of the store's fresh meat department.
"I'd give Kroger's a try," she said.
"But the fact that they own so many stores (means) you're not going to get the variety," Langley said.
Kroger's store manager was unavailable and a spokesperson declined to comment and asked the reporter not to interview shoppers.
But one longtime employee at Kroger put the sale into perspective with recent major corporate buyouts: "Corporations are going to start owning everything. Who's gonna be the little guy?"
With the sale, Kroger will go head to head with Marsh Supermarkets in Warsaw. Kroger and Marsh are two of the biggest grocery chains in Indiana.
