By T. Scott Boatright
The city of Grambling’s push for progress took an unexpected blow Tuesday when Brookshire Grocery Company announced it is closing its Spring Market location on July 24.
Grambling’s Spring Market opened on Oct. 28, 2020, after the building was purchased and renovated by Brookshire Grocery Company. It was known as Legends Market when it first opened in June 2018 and operated until mid-2020 before Brookshire’s took over the building.
The city had been without a grocery store since 1983 until Legends Market opened.
Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC) said in a statement that the decision to cease operations at the Grambling location came after a thorough evaluation of store performance, market conditions and long-term sustainability. The store is expected to remain open through July 24, or until inventory is depleted, as the company completes a wind-down sales process.
All employee-partners have been offered positions at nearby store locations, and BGC said it is working closely with those affected by the closure to ensure a smooth transition.
“This was not a decision we made lightly,” said Jerry LeClair, interim CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company. “We are grateful for the support we have received from the Grambling community and truly appreciate the relationships we have built with our customers and community partners over the years. Although our store is closing, we are committed to being strong neighbors.”
BGC said the decision followed a thorough review of store performance, market conditions and long-term viability.
“While BGC has invested significantly in this store, the location has not achieved the level of performance needed to sustain long-term operations,” the statement read. “Customers are encouraged to continue shopping at nearby locations, including Super 1 Foods stores in Ruston, where BGC will continue delivering quality products and service. We are also expanding access for Grambling University students by enabling the use of Tiger Cards at our Super 1 Foods location in Ruston.
“While the store is closing, BGC remains committed to the Grambling community through its nearby locations and ongoing community support efforts. Customers may redeem any remaining fuel points at other BGC locations following the store’s closure.”
Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley said he and the city were blindsided by the news.
“That was a real haymaker,” Bradley said. “And what is really frustrating is that we didn’t have any warning. I found out about it on Facebook. I’m still waiting to hear back from their corporate office. Apparently they say it was a low-performing store. But if you drive by there every day, it sure didn’t look like that. I hear they did the same thing to three or four other stores today. I think Winnfield was one of them. It was the way it was handled that really bothered me.
“But this is crushing for a city like ours that’s working hard to make progress. We have new construction going on across the way from there to house new stores and businesses. We’re a college city, and the store serves the university. Even Grambling State President Dr. Martin Lemelle Jr. didn’t know about it. No one saw it coming.”
Legends Square, where the store is located, is also home to Dollar Tree, Reali-Tees T-shirt, Apparel & Gift Store and Centric Federal Credit Union.
“We’ve been building it up, and now this happens,” Bradley said. “But what can you do? I’ve been in meetings all day since finding out. Now we just have to look for a new operation to hopefully come in and replace Spring Market. The thing is, the city doesn’t own that property, so that’s another hurdle.
“But when you get knocked down, all you can do is get up and keep pushing forward, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
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