Findlay, NB losing Great Scot stores will affect many

FINDLAY — Smaller grocery stores are about to become harder to find in Findlay and potentially nonexistent in North Baltimore. Spartan Nash announced recently it was closing both Great Scot locations in Findlay, on Broad Avenue and West Main Cross Street, as well as the North Baltimore store, at 13710 Deshler Rd. Findlay's West Main Cross location and the North Baltimore store are set to close July 1, and Findlay's Broad Avenue store is to close July 8. The Courier asked customers via social media what they remembered about the stores and what this loss will mean for grocery availability in these communities. Findlay resident Kathy Carlin wrote that losing the Broad Avenue Great Scot store feels like "losing a friend." "When my husband and I retired here in Findlay four years ago, the workers at Great Scot on Broadway were absolutely my first friends," she wrote. "Every time I walked in the store (which was often) one or more would chat with me. They were full of local information and helped in so many ways. I've always bought my meat there, amongst other things. They are around the corner from our home and so incredibly convenient. Every time I would walk in the door, I would hear my name called out with a "hi." "Now I have become a widow, and I can't imagine not having those friendly faces to walk with me through this season of adjustment. There are no other grocery stores like this anywhere on our side of town. I still can't believe we're losing them." Many responded with similarly fond memories. "My late grandma and I used to go down to the Great Scot by Steak and Shake before our little movie night sleepovers and she would always let me get a mini cart to push around and buy our favorites, Twizzlers and lemon and strawberry Italian ice cups," posted Addi Kennedy. "Definitely a core memory of mine." Some reminisced about the friendly employees they grew to know over the years, and others shared vivid memories from when the West Main Cross store stayed open through the Blizzard of '78, trudging through snow drifts and taking shopping carts home with them to gather everything they needed during the dayslong storm. "What it means to me is the ending to my childhood; some great memories of my mom and dad," posted Erick Smith. "I lost my mom in February. So this hits harder now. … Me and my brother would always walk to Great Scot and get free cookies every day. … Thank you Great Scot for the memories: you will absolutely be missed." Fred Sharrer wrote that he worked at Great Scot for a little over a decade and helped put together a reunion with his coworkers from the time in Findlay. "Listening to the stories and now seeing them close is sad. A big hello to all the former employees reading this now," he wrote. "I will miss the employees that work there," wrote Laurie Duncan. "Everyone knew my name as well as my children's names. They grew up shopping there. Fond memories of past times." Debbie Van Norman wrote about the quality of the groceries and how it helped her family. "When we moved to Findlay in 1998 for the Marathon-Ashland joint venture, Great Scot was the only store where I could buy minimally-processed chicken for my son who heretofore could not eat chicken due to processing chemicals. It was a wonderful day when he got to sit down to a chicken dinner!" she shared. "Some of us purposely chose GS not for just convenience, although a quick stop for a couple things was faster than the big stores, but also GS has so many things we can't get anywhere else," posted R. Marshall Wright. North Baltimore low on options Others shared their specific concerns about the end of the North Baltimore grocery store, which had been Roberts' IGA before being purchased and turned into a Great Scot location. Now, residents bemoaned that there will be no traditional grocery stores left in the village. "The NB store was IGA when it opened. I was one of the cashiers that opened the store 48 or 49 years ago. Great loss for NB. Only grocery store and a lot of seniors do their shopping there. GREAT LOSS!" wrote Cindy Moore. "It will hit the hardest in North Baltimore unfortunately," posted Morgan Hanthorn. "Basically creates a food desert for anyone who has no transportation in town, making Dollar General and gas stations their only option." Tony Cole wrote about a similar situation with Arlington's IGA. "It happened in Arlington. We had the IGA for about 15 years. Was there probably three times a week. Sold … and no more grocery store. … North Baltimore will really feel it as well. It's really sad," he wrote. Not just grocery stores Findlay's Great Scot stores have also been known as important parts of the local philanthropy scene. "Sad not only for the employees but for the organizations that Great Scot sponsored with food," posted Joe Box. "The Hancock County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will miss their Community Cash program," wrote Sherri Wells. "It has been a great influx of cash for this 501(c)3 nonprofit." Though Findlay has a number of other options for those looking for groceries and other items, some still prefer the feel and pace of a smaller store. "Having a grocery store I could walk to within five minutes of my home was always wonderful and I always loved stopping in there because the staff was always so friendly," Joe Matheny posted. "And now there's no grocery store for downtown Findlay. What are we supposed to do?" Sally Siferd wrote that many with a disability and/or no transportation of their own could still make it to the Findlay Great Scot locations. "Those without transportation … could walk or ride their scooters to the store. It will be greatly missed by them. A terrible inconvenience. This store was a light in the north end," she posted. "For older folks, the Great Scot stores are the right size," wrote Sally Owens. "No wandering forever to get to the aisles you need like at the big box stores that are going to be left." No matter how directly each person is affected by the loss of the stores, it seems just about everyone who has lived in Findlay has a pleasant memory in mind when they think of Great Scot. "Memories: When I was a child, crossing the street with my brother to buy candy while my parents had choir practice at the church across the street. When I was pregnant, sending my husband out for ice cream. With my children letting them shop with the little carts for their 'supper.' And the countless early morning milk runs, picking up ingredients for dinner after work, and so on and so on," wrote Katelin Lasater. "The store on Broad will be sorely missed by our family, as the staff has become family to us and has watched our kids grow through the years."