Rural Ind. town hungry for grocer

VEVAY, Ind. - The Ohio River town that is tucked away in Switzerland County, Ind., is hungry for a business that will nourish the community.  The local Supervalue grocery store closed its doors at the end of January.

According to county council member, Steve Crabtree, a grocery store is a staple in the rural area.

"It could be the beginning of the end for a small community like this to not have a grocery store," Crabtree said. "Who wants to move here if you have to drive 30 minutes to buy groceries."

The nearest stores are in Carrollton, Ky., Madison, Ind., and Warsaw, Ky. The distance makes it challenging for residents who are unable to drive long distances and those who used to walk to what is now an empty shell of a store.

The local hardware store owner, Chastity Scudder, explained that the convenience factor is also gone.  She needed to get a cake mix for her daughter's 13th birthday and did not know how she was going to get that done after closing at 7 p.m. Scudder also brought up a much larger concern.

"If people have to drive out of town to get their groceries, they may stop at Lowes to get what they would normally buy here," Scudder said. "So it does hurt the other local businesses around town."

The economic development director, John Bond, explained by phone, that a plan is being developed to find a grocer that is a perfect fit.  One that can hire back the employees who lost their job and serve a loyal community.