Economic Development director expects grocery to close this month
Article/picture by Tim Velder, Lawrence County Journal staff | Monday, November 16, 2009
Lead-Deadwood Economic Development director Chuck Turbiville is prepared for the worst when it comes to the fate of the lone grocery store in Deadwood.
He said the owners of the Blondies IGA store on Sherman Street plan to continue with a shutdown schedule to result in closure at the end of November.
The owners announced their plans to close the store in late October, but they were willing to talk about some rescue possibilities.
Turbiville, who oversees the lease of the city-owned building to the owners, said a move to cut the lease payments in half and offers to invest money for weatherization and efficient heating systems wasn't enough to bring the store's expenses in line with revenue.
Turbiville is now making plans to secure a federal grant to pay for weatherization and upgrades to the heating system. He is also engaged in informal talks with other business interests who might be interested in occupying the building for undisclosed ventures.
The store opened two years ago after Decker's Food Pride pulled out in the summer of 2007. The city of Deadwood purchased the building with the intentions of restoring a retail grocery business in the building. It was previously a Safeway store.
Turbiville said recessionary conditions have hampered the store's ability to draw customers.
There is a Lynn's Dakota Mart grocery store three miles away in Lead, Howdy's in Whitewood, and a Wal-Mart Supercenter, Safeway and Lueders in Spearfish. ~~~These are impossible walking distances.~~~
