Hickman’s IGA Buys C&R Market
April M. Fronick • Editor
In less than a week, Bowling Green will have only one grocery store as Hickman’s IGA is in
the process of buying C&R Market.
The presidents of both chains announced the deal last week. C&R will close this Friday
and reopen four days later as Hickman’s IGA. The current IGA building will be closed.
C&R President Mark Thomas said the decision to sell after 10 years at the Business
Highway 61 location was based on the fact a Wal-Mart, with a full grocery line, is on its way
to Bowling Green.
“It’s really the only reason. We had a very good business. We appreciate everyone who
shopped with us and we’re sorry we have to leave,” Thomas explained. “There only room
for one grocery store to survive with a Wal-Mart Supercenter coming to town.”
The loss of C&R’s tax base will be a hit for the city and county. Both Thomas and Jim
Hickman are confident, however, the loss of jobs will be minimal.
C&R employs some 30 individuals, some of which are high schoolers. None of the
employees contacted by The People’s Tribune opted to comment on the sale. Hickman
noted that everyone who filled out an application was offered a position with IGA. A few of
the management positions will be relocated to other C&R stores.
“That’s always a concern when a store closes,” Hickman said. “We’re pleased we were
able to hire the remainder of employees.”
Naturally, sales will drive the sustainability of the new workforce as Hickman’s enters the
newer facility.
Hickman noted he’s not concerned at this time about the future Wal-Mart development.
“We’ve competed with Wal-Mart before. They came into Mexico and we were able to
purchase our competitor. We generated the volume necessary to maintain that location,”
Hickman explained. “We felt like this was a good long-term move for us.”
City officials declined comment on how the future Wal-Mart development may continue to
impact local businesses for better or worse.
Despite recent rumors the Wal-Mart Supercenter was not going to come to fruition, it
appears a groundbreaking could be coming soon. City Administrator J.D. Kehrman said
bids for site work, including dirt and utilities, will be opened on July 23 and should be
awarded in the early part of August.
By next week, though, the move should be complete and Hickman’s IGA will be operational
in the C&R building.
“After careful consideration, we felt this move was a positive one,” Hickman asserted. “The
larger, more centralized location, will allow us to better serve our customers. We view the
move as positive. We have always been proud to be a part of Bowling Green, and look
forward to serving this area for many years to come.”
The C&R location will be purchased by Jim and Marge Hickman, of Mexico. The C&R
facility will close and the end of business on Saturday, July 19 for inventory. After
restocking, merchandising and sign work, the store will reopen as Hickman’s IGA on
Wednesday, July 23. A closeout sale will be announced soon.
Best Buy Pharmacy will not be affected by the purchase. The pharmacy will continue
normal operations in the C&R building through the transition by using a door near the dive-
thru window. The business will the reopen normally when Hickman’s IGA opens on July 23.
Call Best Buy for further questions.
Hickman’s IGA started in March 1959, with one location in Perry. The business has
expanded to six locations in Perry, Paris, Vandalia, Bowling Green, Mexico and Winfield.
IGA To Move Into C&R Building; All 30 Employees Will Retain Jobs