Grocer will close both of its stores in Canton, leaving local chain with five locations. Company said Cherry Avenue NE building might be redeveloped.
CANTON Fishers Foods will be closing two of its grocery stores later this month, to the chagrin of residents who live near the locations.
Stores at 1365 Cherry Ave. NE and 1272 Harrison Ave. SW in the city will close Jan. 22. The move leaves the family-owned chain with operations in Massillon, Perry, Jackson and two in Plain Township.
The company hopes to see the Cherry Avenue NE location redeveloped. Jeffrey Fisher, president, said there is "interest in the Cherry Avenue location," but added that details are being finalized.
Shoppers leaving the Cherry Avenue NE store Monday said they wanted to see it continue as a grocery.
"I think it's awful," said Marsha Frazier, who lives on Spring Avenue NE. "We deserve to have a store in this neighborhood. I hope they can do something."
Frazier said she has been shopping at the Cherry Avenue store since she was a teenager running errands for her mother. She said her children would shop at the store for her, as now her grandchildren do for their parents.
Linda Tucker, who lives on 15th Street NE, was among several people who expressed concerns about neighbors who walk to the store. Those residents will have to rely on others for rides when it comes time to shop for groceries.
"It has been a staple around this neighborhood forever," Tucker said.
The future of the Harrison Avenue SW building, which is owned by an out-of-town resident, is uncertain.
Martha Raper, who lives on Greenfield Avenue SW, said her husband bought their house because it is near the Harrison store. The couple doesn't drive and knows of others in the neighborhood who also walk to the grocery.
"We need this store. We're going to miss it," Raper said.
Through the years, she has gotten to know store employees. She invited one to her home for Thanksgiving and pitched in to help another who was dealing with an illness. Raper said she won't shop at any other Fishers Foods store if the Harrison location closes. "I'm taking it personally," she said.
Stores called 'unprofitable'
In a news release announcing the closing, Fisher said the stores "have become unprofitable as the population around them continues to decrease." He also noted the grocery industry has changed, and Fishers Foods must keep pace with customers' shopping preferences.
The family-owned chain started in 1933, when Joseph Fisher opened a store to sell groceries and clothing. The second location — a full-fledged supermarket — opened in 1952 on the northwest corner of Tuscarawas Street and Whipple Avenue NW, followed by the Harrison Avenue store in 1953 and the Cherry Avenue location in 1954.
The Harrison and Cherry stores employ 33. Most of those workers will be transferred to other stores, but 12 will be laid off, the company said. Fishers Foods employs 350 overall.
Fisher, who represents the third generation to lead the company, said he regrets that closing has become necessary, but the company had to consider its future.
"As Canton's only locally owned and operated grocery store chain, we have always valued our connection with our customers, our employees and our community," he said in the release. "We really had hoped to keep these two stores open to serve our loyal customers."
News the stores are closing surprised Canton Councilman Nate Chester, Ward 2. He said he intends to meet with Fishers officials to hear more details.
"As a city, we have to do something for Ward 2 and Ward 4, as far as grocery stores," Chester said. "Between Ward 2 and Ward 4, it's looking like a desert for goods, as far as food."
New services coming
Fisher said the company's other locations "are going strong," and announced plans to launch new services for customer convenience. Those changes include a service called Fishers To Go, another called Chef Kits by Fishers and adding home delivery.
Fishers To Go is a digital shopping program that will be available starting Wednesday from the store at 5215 Fulton Drive NW in Jackson Township. It allows customers to shop online and pick up prepacked groceries without getting out of their car.
A new Fishers website is designed to provide shopping in a digital format, said Alex Fisher, director of store operations and marketing and a fourth-generation employee. Customers will be able to use Fishers Rewards, digital coupons and other savings, and a trained personal shopper will select and pack the orders, he said. As the service grows, it will be expanded to other stores.
Chef Kits by Fishers will contain ingredients and directions to prepare dinners for two. That product also is being unveiled this week. Alex Fisher said the Chef Kits will be made with ingredients from the stores, making the kits fresher than similar products ordered online and shipped to the area.
Information about the two product offerings can be found at www.fishersfoods.com. The chain will add delivery service of groceries in March.
Staff writer Kelly Byer contributed to this report.
Reach Edd at 330-580-8484 or edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com
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