But the cuts have been so deep that people are also cutting out of all but the basics. For example, people still need to buy food, but they only buy the staples and not the more expensive things that they could do out, but are the biggest profit makers for stores. Then the stores start feeling the pinch and the downward cycle continues:
Mike Buck understands that the Mega Foods supermarket on the south side of Chippewa Falls has many loyal customers and workers.Fortunately, people won't be losing their jobs in this scenarios, unless they don't have a way to get to a whole other town to work. It's 13 miles from Chippewa Falls to Eau Claire, which could be a long way to go for someone without a car or with iffy driving skills.
“That is precisely why we’ve worked so hard to keep it open,” said Buck, CEO of the store’s parent company, Consumers Cooperative Association of Eau Claire.
But, he added: “There’s only so much you can do.”
Financial losses for the grocery store at 303 Prairie View Road took their toll. On Thursday, the association announced it was pulling out of Chippewa Falls, closing its store as of 6 p.m. Sunday.
Buck said the store’s 65 workers will be offered jobs at Mega’s two stores in Eau Claire, which remain in business. Those workers being offered jobs in Eau Claire include George Wolding, a grocery bagger who celebrated his 98th birthday March 19 and was featured in the Herald last Sunday.
But the move still will hurt the people in the community. The citizens of Chippewa Falls now have to drive over 25 miles, round trip, just to get their groceries. With gas climbing over $4 a gallon, things start adding up quickly.
No wonder the state's economy is still wobbly.
I do think your right on with the gas prices affecting the economy far more than anything Walker has done.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the democrats energy policy.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to the end of the easy oil and huge profit margin on the stuff.
DeleteUnless it is publicly owned, big oil means big profits for a few.
When people don't have jobs they don't buy extras and that is an economic reality that anyone who has been unemployed or gets low wages understands.
ReplyDeleteThe gas price wasn't Bush's fault and it is not Obama's fault. People with shares in oil stocks right now are making a profit.
"People with shares in oil stocks right now are making a profit."
ReplyDeleteThere's a lesson here on how to ease your pain at the pump, and it can be done with the click of a mouse.
Presidents set policy. When you elect a president who chooses an energy secretary who is on record saying he wants gas prices in America to rise to European levels, don't be surprised if they do.
Over-consumption is our national past time.
DeleteIf I owned the oil, I would keep raising the price because you keep buying it.
I would do the same for your Big Macs.
You keep buying and can't get enough, I'm taking ALL THE PROFIT I can get!
If you haven't noticed, but for the past forty years, gas prices have spiked during a presidential election, regardless of which party was in office.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first half of 2008, just before that one guy left the office.
DeleteI wonder if it was like friends of that guy that were maxing out on their profits before the new management came in?
I see Chris has plenty of rwnj trolls here littering his comment page. Smh
ReplyDeleteNothing to see here. ROTFLOL!
ReplyDeleteThe Onion is more factual.
p.s. The very same people blaming Bush for high gas prices, during the spikes while was POTUS are now saying presidents have nothing to do with the prices.
Chu said what he said, fact.
I'm going to Gordy's anyway. The Gordy's Guru is so much more appealing than that Mega-woman.
ReplyDeleteFor Chippewa Falls, I think the combination of the highway 29 bypass along with having a Super-Duper-Walmart just a little farther down the road did them in.
But, let's see who Walmart is backing for politicians in Wisconsin these days...
The big dogs rule over all. Let's let the big box retailers go tax free so we can get them to anchor in, then, let's pay those workers less than the competition.
If residents now have to travel even farther to get to a grocery store, this would be the only grocery store in town. And it can't survive? On selling the basics, which everyone in town needs?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't make sense. Couldn't be bad management?
It's not the only place in town.
DeleteIt is conveniently located, but look at a map. Seriously, look at the map.
The Interstate 53 and highway 29 bypass makes it very easy to get to Lake Hallie Walmart.
If I was getting off on business 53, it turns into 124 as you go to Chippewa from Lake Hallie.
Back in the day, people would HAVE to use the local road and almost pass by Mega up in Chippewa. That was convenient.
Now, people can bypass Chippewa Falls even more. Just look at the mall on top of the hill with the movie theater. Empty.
Downtown. Still kickin', but now that traffic doesn't pass right by on the old 29, anymore.
It has to be bad management, as well as that management wanting MORE of a profit margin.
Besides, Mega Express stores are more profitable. Much like Kwik Trip, they are seem to be plentiful.
Watch and I bet they will open a Mega Express in a few months some where.
And Walker will be there for the press photo.