‘They’re losing something that’s important’

ROCKFORD — Two Schnucks grocery stores closed at 5 p.m. today as planned, despite protests from neighbors hoping to keep at least one of them open.

“THIS STORE IS NOW CLOSED” signs posted at the doors asked shoppers to visit other Schnucks locations in Rockford.

Neighbors of the 1715 Rural St. store gathered outside to say goodbye to employees and bid farewell to their longtime neighborhood retail anchor.

Many of the same people rallied May 24 to no avail. Schnuck Markets Inc. announced its plans May 1 to close that store and the location at 2514 S. Alpine Road; officials seemingly never strayed from that plan.

The company cited low sales and costly operations of the older, smaller stores as reasons to close them. The lease for the Alpine store expires July 31, and the Rural space will likely be leased or sold.

Neighbors knew they probably couldn’t save the Rural store, but they’re hopeful that their protest and social media campaign will convince Schnucks to allow another grocer to move in. Ultimately, they’re worried about blight and crime if the property stays empty too long.

They can look north for an example of redevelopment of a former grocery.

Rosecrance is moving its community mental health services from the Ware Center downtown to the old Sun View Market, 2704 N. Main St., which closed in 2007.

Several grocers have expanded in recent years. Valli Produce opened a second regional store in 2012, and Chiquita Food Market filled an empty grocery space on South Main Street the same year.

Some of the Rural Street shoppers have shifted their business to Gray’s Fine Foods at Highcrest Centre along North Alpine Road. Owner Jeff Gray said the store has seen “quite a bit” of increased customer traffic and has hired a few new employees as a result.

Gray’s has been in business for 46 years, and the Highcrest store opened about 30 years ago. It’s one of the last remaining locally owned, family-run grocery stores in the area, and the Highcrest store is within walking distance of many homes.

“We’ve always felt that neighborhood stores are kind of like family, so we understand what they’re going through,” Gray said. “They’re losing something that’s important to them. Our customers are like family to us, and we cater to the neighborhoods.

“We welcome them to our neighborhood.”

Gray met with employees as soon as he heard about the Schnucks closings to emphasize that the store needed to maintain the level of quality that customers expect, even with more customers shopping there.

He’s not worried about superstore Meijer breaking into the Rockford market next year, . The company plans to open a store near Perryville and Rote roads, and near Perryville Road and Illinois 173 in Machesney Park.

“We cater to the neighborhood,” he said. “We’re very convenient.”

Melissa Westphal: 815-987-1341; mwestphal@rrstar.com; @mlwestphal