UPDATE @ 6:40 p.m. (Aug. 28): New life for Trotwood in terms of a grocery store could be in the works following word that the city's only grocery, Foodtown, is set to close in September.
Wednesday, Mayor Mary McDonald said Gordon Food Service is working to re-purpose Foodtown into more of a grocer.
Foodtown owner Jim Davis, who owns Foodtown locations in Tipp City, Sydney, Drexel and Trotwood, told our news partner the Dayton Daily News some people have stepped forward in what could become a “silver lining. People have called me today wanting to buy both stores, so the Lord only knows.
“It’s not a done deal yet,” he said, “but the phone is ringing.”
Davis said if any deals are realized, the buyer(s) would be strictly taking the inventory. A buyer(s) could change the name, he said, but he hopes they would operate in the same space he leases now and retain the employees.
Davis said he’s closing the Tipp City and Trotwood locations because they are not profitable.
INITIAL REPORT (Aug. 27)
The mayor of Trotwood announced on social media that the city’s only grocery store, Foodtown, is closing.
Mayor Mary McDonald said the closure comes after 40 years in business in Trotwood at 830 E. Main St. in the Broadmoor Plaza.
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In her Facebook live video, she said the owner plans to close by Sept. 15 because the store has been losing money over the last several years.
“This is a huge loss. Foodtown has been here as long as I’ve been here,” said McDonald, who called it “a minor setback” for the city.
The storefront also is a great opportunity for the location along Main Street, the mayor said.
“A grocery store is needed in the city of Trotwood, especially when new development is coming along Main Street.
McDonald said the Drexel Foodtown will remain open, but the owner plans to close another store in Tipp City.