IGA To Close Doors
By ANNIE DIMMICKAfter just over a year in business, the IGA Stop and Save in Moundsville is closing its doors.
Officials with that company made the announcement this week, citing the struggling economy and competition from larger competitors as reasons for the closing.
Jamie Fink, vice president and chief operating officer for parent company Jamieson Family Markets, said Tuesday an official closing date has not been set. However, Fink did confirm the business will be shutting down.
"They are running a liquidation," Fink said. "Our hope is to sell everything within the next two weeks, but (the closing date) is going to depend on how fast everything sells."
The store opened in May 2007 in the former Giant Eagle building on Lafayette Avenue in Moundsville.
Fink said the decision to close was strictly a financial one, noting the store had to compete with nearby "big box" retailers. He said with the economy being in a state of decline, the store simply cannot stay open.
"It's gone through some tough times," Fink said. "It was struggling with the market price."
The announcement is disappointing news for customer Pam Collins of Jacobsburg. Collins said she frequented the store because it offers items that others do not.
"They often brought in Amish produce," Collins said. "Now, it's gone."
Collins said she blames outside competition for the closure and added she is not happy she will have to shop elsewhere.
"Yeah, I liked this store," Collins said when asked if she was disappointed to see it go.
While the business will close, Fink said its employees may not be out of jobs, as the company is working to get them transferred to other stores.
"The folks that worked there were very committed," he said. "It was no fault of theirs."
He said in addition to trying to find other positions for the store's 48 employees, the company also will offer a job service for the employees through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources on July 18. The service is designed to help them find other employment in the area.
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UNCOMMONSENSE
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07-16-08 8:54 PM
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WalMart ALWAYS wins. People will gladly sell their souls to save a few cents!
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ladypenguin
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07-16-08 12:11 PM
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"...another one bites the dust...". Thank you(not), WigMox, I mean, "bigbox" stores!!! Just wait until they're all gone but THE ONE!!
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cory1978
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07-16-08 10:07 AM
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dang it...they have the best cuts of meat around in my mind.
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