Tribe to Close IGA Grocery Store
Mar 28, 2012
Closure to Take Place on May 9, 2012
Akwesasne Territory -- The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council announced today that the Tribe is closing its First Americans IGA. “This was a difficult decision,” said Mark Garrow, Tribal Chief. “We express our regrets to the IGA employees and customers, but we have to make decisions that are in the best interests of the Tribe. Sometimes these are tough decisions.” The IGA employed 28 full-time and 12 part-time employees.
The tribe originally acquired the IGA in 2008. The original intent of the purchase of the property was to expand tribal holdings in the land claim area in order to ensure future economic and housing development. The store underwent several phases after the tribe acquired it, in an attempt to make it profitable, including cost reductions, downsizing and inventory reductions. “At the request of many tribal members who shop there, Tribal Council did everything we could to assist the IGA in remaining open,” noted Ron LaFrance, Tribal Chief. “There was not a lot of local support for a grocery store of this size, especially considering the amount of competition in the area. We extend our thanks to the many IGA employees who worked there.”
The store struggled financially, despite the countermeasures taken to keep it afloat. Over the past several years, the tribe found it necessary to provide financial support to the grocery store when it experienced shortfalls, with the hopes that it would one day be financially viable. “Continuing to subsidize the IGA operation is no longer feasible. The tribal general funds being used to support the store can be better spent on other tribal programs,” remarked Tribal Chief Randy Hart.
The future of the store property and the disposition of its equipment have yet to be decided. “Moving forward, we have to see this event as an opportunity, consider our best options and what we are going to do with those assets,” said Chief Garrow. The store will dispose of its inventory during the time period through May 9, 2012. Final plans for the closure are being formulated.
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