Staff writer
After months of uncertainty and rumors, people in Peabody can breathe a sigh of relief. Peabody Market is sold and the new owners will be taking over within 30 days.
Mike and Jadina Crow of Sedgwick have purchased the business. Mike already is present in the store, working with Rick and Vickie Turner to learn the ins and outs of the many phases of being a grocer. Jadina will be coming to Peabody to help on weekends. The couple will keep their home in Sedgwick for the time being and commute.
Crow was a district manager for Hunt Brothers Pizza. In that capacity, he began calling on Peabody Market about four years ago and got to know the Turners.
“We were talking several months back about how Rick wanted to retire and do other things,” Crow said. “Rick and I always got along well, we talked about the store and the business they were doing. One thing led to another, and I thought about it for awhile. I decided I would be interested. Jadina and I had been looking for a change, so we talked to Rick and Vickie some more and decided to take the plunge.”
The Crows and Turners agreed on terms and Crow began putting together the information he needed to get financing.
“We have everything approved and in place,” he said. “Now we are in real estate mode — waiting on the paperwork to be completed for the closing. Hopefully, we will be able to get that done within 30 days or so. We are excited to come to Peabody.”
Crow was emphatic about making changes at the store slowly, if at all.
“First, everyone should rest assured that current employees that Peabody people know so well will still be here to serve them,” he said. “Really, they are the ones who know the business and can help us make effective changes because they have been here, dealt with the public, and hear the comments.”
Crow also said that he has ideas about some basic changes that will make a visual difference at Peabody Market, but they will not be drastic.
“First, I want to paint the interior and give it a fresh look—a facelift, if you will,” he said. “By the way, I will be looking for painters. Spread the word. If there are kids out there who can handle a paint brush and a ladder, I will be hiring.”
He will be re-evaluating the placement of different products and adding bolder department identifiers.
“On Monday I spent time with some long-time employees, asking for their suggestions for changes that might be helpful,” Crow said. “Usually those are the people who know the customers’ preferences and hear their comments. Some of the employees have been here quite a few years. They will help us figure out what needs to be done. We want feedback.”
Rick Turner said he and his wife were relieved to have the business sold. Turner’s health has been troublesome for a while and he is looking forward to retiring to Gridley where he and Vickie have a home.
“I’m just tired of working,” he said. “I glad we were able to come to an agreement with Crows and not have to lock the door and walk away from it. It has been a good business for us and we hope the community will continue to support it.”