Locals express support for small meat, produce market
By Suzanne Werre
Editor
About 40 people turned out Monday night at city hall to discuss possible options the city of Underwood could pursue now that it’s a certainty that Underwood Warehouse Grocery will be closing its doors.
Bob Larson of the Underwood Area Economic Development Corporation led the meeting, barely getting his first question, “are people interested in having a grocery store in town” out of his mouth before someone shouted, “yes.”
With Lewis and Clark Regional Development’s Brent Ekstrom on hand to explain some of the funding options that might be available if someone or “someones” want to get another grocery store up and running. Ekstrom was there for guidance, but the consensus of those at the meeting was that his help wouldn’t be needed for awhile.
Before anyone, or a group of people, should even think about undertaking such an endeavor, there need to be some numbers. How much would it cost to buy the building as-is? How much more money would be needed to make the needed updates to the refrigerators/freezers?
The overriding feeling of those at the meeting was that the town needs a grocery store. Yes, they agreed, Dollar General will be able to fill a lot of grocery needs, particularly canned foods, cleaners and other perishables. What Dollar General won’t be able to bring to the community, and what people want, is fresh meat and produce. That’s where a small grocery store should come into play.
