University Daily Kansan / Friday, February 28, 1992
9
Food Barn announces closing of Lawrence store,13 others
By Svala,Jonsdottir
Kansan staff writer
The Food Barn store in Lawrence is one of 14 stores in Kansas and Missouri that the company plans to close within a month.
Union and industry executives said the buyer was Associated Wholesale Grocers in Kansas City, Kan., thearea's top food supplier. Associated Wholesale Grocers officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.
"They called me on Wednesday morning and said we would be closing." Browning said. "It is possible that I could be offered a job in one of their other stores in Kansas City, but I cannot afford to drive there every day."
"Most of the people who work here will probably lose their jobs," Charles said. "Some that have several years seniority might be able to relocate to other stores in the Kansas City area that Food Barn still operates."
Larry Hodges, president of Food Barn, confirmed Wednesday that the company would sell its warehouse and 14 stores. He said he expected an agreement to be signed within 60 days but declined to identify the buyer or comment on the terms of the sale.
Charles said he heard rumors that the stores would be resold to independent grocers to whom associated Wholesale Grocers would supply food, but he feared the Lawrence store would be closed.
Food Barn, 1900 W. 23rd St., employs about 40 people, including 10 KU students, said Mike Charles, store union steward.
Jay Browning, Lawrence senior, has worked at Food Barn part time for three years.
"My opinion is that Lawrence already has too many food stores," he said. "I do not really think there is a buyer for the
Localstoremanagersrefused tocomment.
store right now."
Gary Toebben, president of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, said it was unlikely that an individual grocery would buy the Lawrence Food Barn store.
"A store of that size would typically be bought by a regional or national chain," he said. "I don't know whether any of them would be interested in the store, or whether any stores in Lawrence would want to add another location."
Food Barn has struggled with heavy debt since a management-led buyout in 1988. Although employees repeatedly have agreed to cuts in pay, the company has suffered losses because of increased competition and a 12-week strike last year.
The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
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In Memory of Our Fellow Taiwanese who Died in the February 28 Massacre on Taiwan in 1947
In 1947, island-wide uprisings erupted against the Nationalist Chinese carpetbagger government in Taiwan after a female Taiwanese vendor was gunned down by a Nationalist Chinese civil servant and after the police fired at the crowds. The popular insurrection was crushed mercilessly after reinforcements from China landed at Taiwan. Around 30,000 Taiwanese were massacred in the ensuing vengeance, including scholars, physicians, lawyers, journalists, prominent businessmen, and students.
Sisters and brothers from Taiwan: No matter what our ethnic identity is, we all are now qualified as Taiwanese. Let us tear down the "Berlin Wall" on our minds and work hand in hand to make Taiwan an "Oriental Switzerland", so that the blood of those martyrs would not have been shed in vain and their souls may rest in peace eventually.
Gwo Hwong-kyl
Gwo Kli-lian
Gwo bobkk
Lyl Khan-bu
Lyl Moo-boeng
Liym Bo-seng
Justice of the Taipei High Court
Editor of Sin-Sung Dally
Mayor of Pingtung City
Councilman of Kaohsiung City
Dean of the College of Liberal Arts,
Taiwan University
Acting County Magistrate of Taipei
National Assemblyman, lawyer
High school teacher
Professor of Taipei Medical School
Presbyterian Hinister
Journalist
High school student
Principal of Tankung High School
Councilman of Chlayi, painter
Assemblyman of Taiwan, lawyer
National Assemblyman, physician
Physician (son of Chiang Chhit-lwong)
Physician (son of Tiuang Chhit-lwong)
University Attorney of Hsinchu
Councillor of Taipei
Lyim Chong-hyian Acting County Magistrate of Taipei
Lyim Lyim-chong National Assemblyman, lawyer
Ngg A-swun High school teacher
Si Kang-laam Professor of Taipei Medical School
Slau Tyiau-kim Presbyterian Minister
Sim Sui-kheng Journalist
Tann Hian-lyeng student
Taan Lung-lyeng Principal of Tankung High School
Tten Teng-pho Councilman of Chiayi, painter
Thng Tek-chiong Assemblyman of Taiwan, lawyer
Thung Chitl-lwong National Assemblyman, physician
Tiu Chong-jyin Physician (son of Tiu Chitl-lwong)
Tiu Tong-Jyin Physician (son of Tiu Chitl-lwong)
Wong Iokk-lyin District Attorney of Hsinchu
Wong Thiam-teng Councilman of Taipei