Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The local Kroger store will close its doors Sept. 14, ending a 48-year run of serving the community.
The effect of the closing will be felt by patrons of the grocery store who will miss the convenience and comfortable surroundings afforded by one of the smallest stores in the Kroger chain, and by the store's employees. The closing comes after Kroger finalized the purchase of two Owen's Supermarkets in Warsaw.
"I think the older people, who aren't able to walk very well, are going to have a hard time adjusting," said shopper Mary Laird. "I can always go to the new Owen's and spend more time, but it will be hard for them."
William and Esta Culp said they liked the convenience offered by the Kroger store, and would shop there nearly every day to make small purchases. Now, they'll have to change those shopping habits.
"It was so convenient to go in and buy just one or two items. Now we'll just have to go to Marsh," Esta said.
William concurred, saying Owens' layout and business volume was more than he thought the couple could handle.
"Owen's is just too big and too busy," he said. "And, you have to stand in line too long."
One shopper, who refused to reveal her name, said the closing of the small neighborhood store will be a detriment to her pocketbook.
"I've always traded here for the little odds and ends," she said. "I think that once this store is gone, we're all going to be in a lot of trouble, because they won't be the same kind of competition when it's just two big stores."
Eugene Zale, of Zale Drugs, said he's sure the closing will cut into his business, but he's not sure to what extent.
"It's going to have an effect on our business, but I'm not sure how much, right now," Zale said. We're going to loose the morning fountain business we've had."
He added, that he and his employees will also be personally effected, because they were customers as well as neighbors of the Kroger store.
"Sure, we hate to see them go. The inconvenience is going to be a problem. We used to shop there everyday, too," Zale added.
He said he is also concerned about having an empty store next to his.
"I'm concerned about the store being empty, but the landlord said he has two people looking at the site. But, he didn't tell me who," Zale said.
Eric Whitley said he will miss the store, that has become a landmark for many on the east side of Warsaw, but that he understands times are changing, particularly with Kroger purchasing the two Owens stores.
"I hate to see them close down a store that's been here for such a long time," he said. "But, if they think they can make a better go with the stores they have acquired, then it's just good business."
One Kroger employee, who asked not to be identified, confirmed the store's employees were notified of the closing, saying the store management informed the 32 employees last week.
"I was kind of upset, because they just gave me a raise," the employee said.
Ron Sellers, steward for the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which represents the Kroger employees at the Warsaw store, said his fellow workers are disillusioned by the closing.
"We didn't think that Kroger would do this to us, but we were wrong," Sellers said. "It seems to me that it's just a union-busting move on Kroger's part. The Owens stores are selling Kroger products and the employees are being paid with Kroger checks, the only thing that's Owen's is the name."
Sellers added, the Kroger employees will be offered a severance package that includes up to eight week's pay or a transfer to other area Kroger stores, but not to the Owen's stores.
Assistant Manager Carol Edwards of the Kroger's store declined to comment on the closing or the status of the store's employees.
Don Good, general manager for Owens Supermarket, would only confirm the store's purchase by Kroger's and referred all questions to the Kroger's corporate spokesperson.
Repeated calls to the Sonya Saunders, Kroger's communications and consumer affairs manager in Indianapolis were not returned, but her office did fax a statement to the Times-Union confirming the Sept. 14 closing date. The prepared statement also said the store's employees will be offered a severance package or a transfer to another Kroger store. No mention was made of the purchase of the Owen's stores, nor when, or if, those stores will take on the Kroger name.
