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What’s next for Peabody Market?

Staff writer

While Jadina’s husband Mike Crow’s, and son Zane Smalley’s worlds were left reeling in the first few days following her death, Mike was faced with a touch decision.

Late in the day March 13, Crow announced Peabody Market would close by the end of May.

Crow said he was able to ask his wife in the few days after her Feb. 28 brain aneurism initially occurred if she wanted to continue running the store and that she told him no.

“My kids and my family both agreed that it was too much to do by myself.”

Crow said he wanted the store to remain open through May to allow for possible sale or auction of the store.

“I would rather sell than auction it, even if I would make more money with an auction,” he said. “It means more to me that the store stays open for this town.”

With the announcement of the store’s closure, many citizens have began working together to try to find a solution.

Two days after Crow announced the impending closure, a group of people held a meeting. Participants had been involved in assisting the Crows and the store in the past. Crow provided them with all of his financial statements dating back to Sept. 2016, when the Crows purchased the store.

Mayor Larry Larsen said that he understands Crow’s decision to close, but also recognizes the importance of the store for the community.

“Everywhere he looks within the store he probably sees memories with his wife,” Larsen said. “I don’t in anyway blame him, that’s got to be tough.

“Nobody in the city of Peabody wants the store to close. We as a community need to maintain the store because it is so vital to the community.”

Hannah Bourbon, who represents Peabody on the Marion County Community Economic Development Corporation, agreed that the search for a buyer for the store is imperative.

“A grocery store is a very important piece of a small town, included with banks, churches, and schools,” she said. “We are meeting Tuesday and will be visiting about this, but also don’t want multiple groups going in different ways. We will focus on how to collaborate with everyone involved.”

Becky Nickel, grant coordinator for a local group working on grants for good nutrition and healthy foods availability, says it is too early to say how recent events will affect the grant work that has been done, and work that was planned for the future.

Crow said after $97,000 worth of improvements to the store, he only owes $236,000 and is just looking to break even on a sale, because keeping the store going for the community is more important to him than making a profit.

“I care about Peabody and all the friends I have here,” said Crow. “Not to mention elderly or handicapped people who are unable to get out of Peabody to buy groceries.”

Last modified March 21, 2018

 

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