At the July 14th meeting of the Kenon City Council, owners of The Kenyon Market discussed the challenges that the store is having. Economic forces are stretching the profit margin too thin for the store to continue operating as it is. Owners are looking for options, including potential new local ownership, and asked the council for input. The grocery store has seen a 10% drop in sales since the dollar store opened in town. That reduction in business greatly affects the bottom line. The Market employs 18-20 people and commended their staff, but continued, that the situation has become a very serious issue, and decisions need to be made sooner than later. The owners discussed local ownership is a key point to future success. The store offers fresh meat and produce, something the dollar store doesn't offer. In addition without a local full service grocery store in town, those without reliable transportation lose their access to fresh food. People that move to town look at a grocery store as an important part of a community. While some complain that big box stores in large communities offer lower prices, a trip out of town costs more time and fuel negating all of the perceived savings.
The market is operated by owners that have experience in operations and have successfully done so in Kenyon and other communities. They have made many recent investments and upgrades to the coolers and equipment in the past few years as well, however the economic tide has changed very fast in the past 6 months. The hope is to look at all available options and ways to keep the market in business. The current owners want to work with potential new owners to make the store a continued viable business and increase the margins to make it profitable. Ownership is willing to help with potential financing options and operational support. All options are on the table. An additional challenge for them is the fact they travel from near Rochester, restating Local Ownership will be an important aspect in the future of the hometown grocery store.. All that said, without community support, the future is unclear. Conversations will continue and council suggested the EDA meet with the owners to discuss the issue further.
