By Lynn Welch
STOUGHTON - Stoughton residents are bemoaning the loss of the Main Street Market, which will close by the end of June.
The
local grocery, known for its fresh produce and meats, organic and
natural offerings and grocery delivery to elderly and disabled city
residents, has been open for 22 years in the heart of Stoughton at 1050
W. Main St.
The closure of the only local grocer in Stoughton will leave a Roundy's-owned Pick 'n Save as the only store.
"I
knew that we were at an impasse when I was told that the landlord
wanted the security of a Fortune 500 company," said market owner Steve
McKenzie. "As a small independent, there's no way I'll ever be that."
Building
owner Lee Madden of Madden Property Associates did not renew McKenzie's
lease, instead choosing to offer at least some of the space to Dollar
General Corp.
Dollar General is a Fortune 500 company with 8,000
dollar stores, about 82 of them in Wisconsin, and eight distribution
centers. The company sells basics for less, with $8.58 billion in sales
last year.
"I worked with Steve to try to get something to work, but it just didn't happen," Madden said. "It's very unfortunate."
Upset Stoughton residents have started a letter-writing campaign to try to save the business.
"There's
a question whether we need a dollar store," said Christa Westerberg,
who is part of the Stoughton Forward group. "We definitely don't need
it as much as we need a market."
The Stoughton City Council will
discuss a marketing study tonight to determine whether it's feasible to
open a grocery on the east side of town.
But some think small
businesses in Stoughton are spooked by the possibility of Wal-Mart
siting a Supercenter on 185 acres near County B and U.S. 51.
"If
you take a look at the number of businesses for sale on Main Street,
there are business people nervous, and rightly so because of what
research has shown," said City Council member Denise Duranczyk.
McKenzie
said Wal-Mart's hopes to expand in Stoughton did not affect his
decision to keep his store open on Main Street. McKenzie and a silent
partner also own the small Jenifer Street Market on Madison's east
side. That store has thrived for 26 years in close proximity to
Woodman's large east side grocery, McKenzie explained.
"If
Wal-Mart was going to move into Stoughton, it would actually enhance
the store and the marketplace around the store," he said.
McKenzie
said he wanted the option of leasing the store in two five-year leases.
But he requested a six-month out clause at the 13,000 square-foot
Stoughton building. It's the same kind of lease he has at his Madison
market, and the out clause would cover him financially if building
improvements were required, he said. Currently, the Main Street
building in Stoughton has a leaky basement and inaccessible bathrooms.
"Without
(the out clause) I'm responsible to pay every bit. How far am I going
to go to extend my financial liability?" McKenzie said. "The idea of
filing bankruptcy is not attractive."
McKenzie said he'd like to
reopen another market within two years. Stoughton would be a good spot
for a store, but McKenzie said he gets frequent proposals from
developers to open a market.
Stoughton residents who are already
grieving the loss of the Main Street Market hope the City Council will
do something to help McKenzie now.
"If there's anything more
immediate (than the marketing study) the city can do, I hope they would
do it," said Westerberg. "My fear is if the Supercenter does come, it
could reduce our chances of getting a market back."
E-mail: lwelch@madison.com
Published: May 23, 2006
