Only grocery store in West Newton to close in June

WEST NEWTON, Pa. — The only grocery store in West Newton is set to close in a little more than three weeks after the owners of the store retire.

“It is quite devastating,” said shopper Sharon Perry. “Quite sad, actually.”

That’s how many shoppers at the West Newton Giant Eagle feel about the store closing its doors in less than a month.

“I’m just afraid it will be a food desert,” added Melissa Stoehr. “It is going to be very difficult for people to come and get their groceries.”

The Giant Eagle is closing in June because the owners, Mike and Maryanne Bingey, are retiring.

They’ve owned and operated this grocery store for 35 years.

“I’ll miss it,” Stoehr said. “The employees are wonderful, and the store has been great for us.”

Once it closes, there won’t be a grocery store within the West Newton borough limits. Giant Eagle suggests customers go to the Belle Vernon location.

For some, it’s not impossible, but inconvenient.

For others, especially seniors who live at Filburn Manor, it’s a tall task.

“I really don’t know what they’re going to do,” Perry said. “I know the manor has a van that transports them to different places now, but you’re talking about the whole high rise, the people who don’t drive and are not mobile. It is quite devastating.”

West Newton Mayor Mary Popovich also feels the disappointment.

“We can’t lose these amenities to our town,” Popovich said to Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek. “We’re a trail town, we get a lot of traffic, so we’ve got to keep the store here.”

She said she’s been getting calls from many people who are interested in putting a grocery store in the location after the Bingeys retire.

Nothing is set in stone, and she said it’s too early to tell if something will pan out.

“I’m very hopeful,” Popovich said. “I’m very hopeful.”

Popovich said the pharmacy inside the Giant Eagle has a lease for another year and will continue to operate at least through that lease.

“I would like to see if I can waive my magic wand and a transition occurs so that it wouldn’t close at all,” Popovich added. “That’s what I’m really trying to push right now.”

The West Newton Giant Eagle will officially close its doors for grocery shopping on June 23.

Giant Eagle tells Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek the roughly 50 employees at the West Newton store will be considered for any open position at other Giant Eagle locations if they’re interested.

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