By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
Despite a public plea from Cheraw Mayor Andy Ingram, Town Administrator Mike Smith and the numerous members of the public who contacted corporate headquarters to voice concern, Bi-Lo officials affirmed Tuesday that the Cheraw location would close in November.
The Pee Dee Post first reported the issue on Oct. 5. Julianne Roberts, corporate communications specialist, told PeeDeePost.com that the store at 8 Chesterfield Highway will close “on or before Nov. 19″ and that “shortly after employees working in the store were notified, Cheraw officials neared of Bi-Lo Holdings’ intentions to close the store on Friday, when a representative from the company placed a courtesy call to notify local leaders that one o four stores in their community is closing.”
Robert said the store averages about 65 positions, and that “associates will have the opportunity pursue open positions in other stores.”
From the outset, Ingram and others urged residents to contact Bi-Lo officials via phone and email to express their dissatisfaction with the decision.
On Tuesday, the town learned their efforts had not prevailed.
“Today, Mike Smith and I had another conference call with the president and chief operating office of Bi-Lo,” Ingram said. “First o all, he shared with us that the people of Cheraw have responded the most compared to all the other locations where they have announced store closures. He said the executive staff met yesterday and discussed Cheraw’s store in more details.”
But any new hope was short-lived.
“Based on the economics of the Cheraw store and based on the fact that the Cheraw store has been unprofitable for the last several years, Bi-Lo is going to move forward with their announced closure,” Ingram said. “I regret their decision but it is final. I thank everyone who called in or wrote expressing your concerns.”
