October 7, 2008
- Pasco, Washington
Hermiston Super One Closes
By Rudabeh Shahbazi
HERMISTON-- Super One is the latest casualty of big box competition. The grocery store closed its doors Saturday. Reps say they started losing customers bigger businesses like Wal-Mart.
"This is a sad day for us, this isn't a great day, but it's one of those ones that we had no option but to make this decision," said Mike Shirts, vice president of Rosauers, Super One's parent company. He said their lease was almost up anyway, but more importantly, that competition drove the grocery store out. "Certainly, competition in this area has increased with the opening of Fiesta Foods in the Tri-Cities, as well as the Wal-Mart conversion to the super center," he said. "That has certainly put more competition in the area." Customers say Super One stood out for its friendly service and large stock of Hispanic products. "We like the small town atmosphere and the good service you get from some of the smaller stores," said Mark Magnuson, who said he is disappointed to lose Super One. He's not the only one, 50 employees are out of a job. And the community is out of grocery stores that brought something different. "It was a lot easier to get in and out of there than going to Wal-Mart or Safeway," said Magnuson. Other customers like shopping there to avoid the crowd. But what seemed like a perk for shoppers, was a big problem for business. Wal-Mart shoppers said they chose to go there instead of Super One because they prefer the convenience of picking up everything in one place, and for the cheap prices. Employees at Wal-Mart said the store has been selling groceries for nine years. Super One opened in 1999. "We've enjoyed being in Hermiston, loved the community. Sorry that this happened this way, but we enjoyed our time here," said Shirts. Most Super One stores have fared better in Montana and Washington, and Shirts says there won't be another Super One in eastern Oregon any time soon. |
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