Major Grocery Chain Closing Stores Nationwide, Leaving Small Towns ‘Concerned’

In a move that has left many small towns in America worried about their future, Kroger, one of the nation’s largest grocery chains, has announced the closure of 60 stores across the country over the next 18 months. This decision, which comes after years of struggling profits, will not only affect employees but also disrupt the fabric of communities, especially in smaller, more rural areas. 

Fallon Pierson, reporting for WCHS Eyewitness News, highlighted the impact of this closure in Gassaway, West Virginia, where the town’s only grocery store is set to shut its doors. This closure serves as just one example of a larger trend that could leave other small towns in dire straits.

The Closure of Gassaway’s Kroger

The town of Gassaway, located in Braxton County, has relied on its Kroger store for over 40 years. When the news broke that the store would close, it sent shockwaves through the community. As Christi Boggs, a local resident, stated, the town felt like a family, and the Kroger store was an integral part of it. The closure means the loss of 52 jobs in the town, but it goes beyond just employment. According to Pierson, the closure of the Kroger store also affects other vital community services, including the local library and food bank, both of which rely on regular donations from the grocery chain.

Kroger’s Justification for the Closures

In a report to shareholders, Kroger cited declining profitability at underperforming stores as the primary reason for the closures. The company explained that its move would provide a “modest financial benefit” by cutting down on underperforming locations. However, Christi Boggs and other residents in Gassaway disagree with the company’s reasoning, claiming that the store had remained busy and continued to serve the community well. They argue that the financial decline Kroger claims to have seen simply doesn’t align with the reality of the store’s activity, making the closure seem unjustified.

The Struggles of Small Towns and the Loss of Vital Services

The closing of Kroger’s only store in Gassaway highlights a broader issue facing small towns across the country. For these towns, the grocery store isn’t just a place to buy food – it’s a lifeline. According to Gary Rexroad, the executive director of the Braxton County Senior Center, seniors will be particularly impacted. The personalized service they receive at Kroger is something they won’t find at another store, especially if it’s located far away. For many seniors, the loss of this service could make it harder to meet their everyday needs.

Employee Concerns and Job Offers

In response to the closures, Kroger has offered employees the opportunity to transfer to other locations. However, this solution may not be practical for everyone, especially those living in smaller towns where the next nearest store is hours away. Fallon Pierson reported that the town of Gassaway, where the closure is set to take place, has limited transportation options, making it difficult for employees to commute to distant stores. This leaves the workers in a precarious position, facing the uncertainty of relocation or the loss of their jobs altogether.

The Impact on Local Businesses

In other areas where Kroger is set to close its stores, the ripple effect extends beyond just the employees. Marissa Sarbak, in a report for 11Alive, spoke to business owners inside Kroger stores, such as Classic Fade’s Barbershop in Decatur, Georgia. The barbershop, which has been in business for over 30 years, will be forced to close if Kroger shuts down its location. 

Owner Eric Bankston had just remodeled the shop and signed a new lease, but now, after hearing about the store closure through clients and employees, he is left with no answers from Kroger. This lack of communication has left many small business owners in a state of limbo, wondering how they will recover or if they’ll need to close their doors for good.

Real Estate and Economic Challenges

The decision to close 60 stores nationwide isn’t just about local economy and employee welfare – it’s also a real estate issue. As Ashley Kirklen explained in a report for WLWT, Kroger’s stores are often leased, meaning that the company is evaluating whether it makes sense to keep these locations open. 

Real estate experts, like Gary Painter of the UC Real Estate Center, have pointed out that Kroger must take into account several factors when deciding which stores to close, such as lease agreements and property ownership. In some cases, Kroger might opt to open new stores in more lucrative areas rather than maintain older locations in less profitable regions. This strategy reflects the intense competition Kroger faces from other grocery giants like Walmart, Costco, and Whole Foods.

Kroger’s Financial Struggles

Kroger’s financial situation has been fraught with challenges in recent years. In addition to the declining store profits, the company has faced external setbacks, including a failed merger with Albertsons. As Caroline Petrow-Cohen of the Los Angeles Times reported, the merger, which was intended to create a larger grocery powerhouse, fell apart after facing legal challenges from federal regulators and several states. With the merger now off the table, Kroger has been forced to re-evaluate its business model. Coupled with labor unrest and a change in leadership, these factors have contributed to the company’s decision to scale back and focus on more profitable areas.

Labor Unrest and Employee Concerns

The timing of Kroger’s announcement coincides with labor unrest within the company. Caroline Petrow-Cohen reported that grocery workers at Kroger and Albertsons were threatening to strike due to issues related to wages and working conditions. This unrest added another layer of complexity to the company’s decision-making process. While the union reached a tentative agreement in late June, the lingering dissatisfaction among workers still looms large, especially as Kroger faces rising competition and uncertainty in the broader economic environment.

Kroger’s Future Strategy and Community Backlash

Despite the challenges, Kroger remains focused on its future, with plans to accelerate store openings in 2026, according to Ashley Kirklen. However, for small towns like Gassaway, this future seems uncertain. Many residents fear that the closure of Kroger’s stores signals the beginning of a wider trend of retail companies withdrawing from rural areas in favor of more densely populated urban centers.

Braxton County Delegate Lori Dittman shared her concern, saying that Kroger’s goal to strengthen communities is undermined by the store closures. For towns that rely on grocery stores as central hubs of activity, the loss of such an essential service will only further deepen existing economic difficulties.

The Broader Implications of Store Closures

This trend of grocery store closures reflects a larger issue facing small-town America: the struggle to maintain access to basic services. As more businesses like Kroger pull back, residents are left grappling with fewer options and increasing hardships. This is particularly alarming for seniors, who often rely on nearby stores for both convenience and the personal service they can no longer find in larger, more impersonal chains.

A Growing Concern for Small Towns

The closure of 60 Kroger stores, including the one in Gassaway, is just one chapter in a larger story about the shifting retail landscape in America. While Kroger’s decision is a financial necessity for the company, it has created a wave of concern in small communities across the country. The impact of these closures extends beyond just employees – it affects entire communities that depend on these stores for their economy, services, and quality of life.

As these stores close, small-town America is left to wonder: will other retailers follow suit, or will communities find ways to adapt and thrive despite the challenges? For now, towns like Gassaway are left to cope with the uncertainty of a future without their beloved Kroger, and residents are fighting to ensure that they don’t lose more than just a grocery store.