A beloved local grocery store is set to close after more than 100 years in business.
Wohlner’s Neighborhood Grocery and Deli will offer customers at its Omaha, Nebraska, store a 15 percent discount on its carts while it closes its doors. A final closing date has not been set.
The store, founded by its namesake Al Wohlner in 1918, has always been a family-owned business and has thrived despite the proliferation of food giants like Walmart.
But its current owners, Bob and Dianne Kimball, have decided to close the business and retire.
“This decision was certainly not an easy one, but after many years of serving this community, we feel it is time to enjoy the next chapter of our lives,” said Bob Kimball. Announcing the decision last Wednesday.
Following the closure, the closest grocery store for local residents will be Baker’s on Saddle Creek Road, a 40-minute walk away.
Owners Bob and Dianne Kimball decided to close the store and retire.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our loyal customers, who have become our family,” she said in a statement on the store’s website.
The Kimballs have asked customers to stop by to say goodbye and share their happy memories of the store.
An exact closing date has not yet been set, but customers will be able to enjoy a 15 percent discount on their entire order until that day arrives.
The offer has some caveats, including that it cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions and excludes tobacco products, lottery tickets, stamps, fresh sushi and gift cards.
Neighbors and employees mourned the closing of Wohlner’s. One worker commented on the store’s Facebook post: “I’ve worked there for 4 years. Bob and Diane are the best bosses I’ve ever had. I’m going to miss my job.”
“I have so many fond memories of shopping at the Leavenworth store as a kid. Most of them with my grandpa,” one customer wrote in the post.
“Bob and Dianne are two of the best people I have ever met. Enjoy your next chapter and thank you both for everything you have done for others,” commented a third.
One resident, Molly Moore, He told 6 News“I live right across the street and now I’m going to have to buy my groceries online, which I didn’t want to have to do.”
“I used to love being able to shop in my neighborhood, and now I won’t be able to do that,” Moore added.
Another tenant is being sought for the building to “ensure the space continues to serve the community in meaningful ways,” Wohlner said in a statement.
Many brick-and-mortar retailers are facing higher operating costs and tight margins, while others are plagued by rampant theft.
Wohlner’s Neighborhood Grocery and Deli was founded by Al Wohlner in 1918.
Shop workers and local residents have lamented the impending closure of the beloved store.
Even big retailers like Macy’s are closing stores across the country, and last month it was reported that Big Lots was shuttering 315 stores in several states as its financial troubles worsened.
There were almost 2,600 store closures in the first four months of 2024If this trend continues, almost 8,000 people will have been lost by the end of the year.
In recent months, Walmart has closed three more underperforming stores. Best Buy closed ten. in March.
Dollar stores have also been hit hard: 99 Cents Only announced in April that it would close all 371 of its stores in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.
The 1,000 closures of Family Dollar and its sister company Dollar Tree will occur in the next three years.
Express, a mall staple, filed for bankruptcy in April and said it would close 95 Express locations along with all of its UpWest stores.
In early May, Rue21, the teen fashion chain that is a fixture in malls across the United States, also said it will close all 543 of its U.S. stores after going bankrupt.
Badcock Home Furniture & More said in late July that it would close its 380 stores across the South after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year.
