Tom?s IGA to move into Carter?s building and open October 1
The Carter?s Food Center building will not be without a tenant for much longer, as a local grocery store owner has purchased the building, equipment, and inventory that was left behind when the doors were locked by the parent company in July.
Tom Madison, longtime owner of Tom?s IGA, has plans of moving into the larger facility and opening October 1.
?We?re too small to serve the town,? said Madison of his 5,600 square foot State Street facility. The Carter?s building is 25,000 square feet. His initial plans include opening the bakery and offering a full line of meats.
Madison has owned the IGA store for more than 30 years. He purchased the business from A & P in 1975.
He received a call last Friday that his bid for the equipment and inventory was accepted in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Grand Rapids.
THERE HAD been two bidders in the auction-type bidding process.
The other bidder was Neiman?s Family Market of Alpena, who originally out bid Madison. Neiman?s interest in two other Carter?s sites allowed the bid for the Ona
He already had a deal worked out to lease/buy the building from businessmen John George and Dave Snider. They have owned the building for 30 years, when the grocery store still went by the name of Country Star.
Madison said any delays could come from securing a half dozen licenses that need to be in place.
?People have been very nice and patient, even with the long lines,? said Madison. He said the busiest time period was the Fourth of July weekend. He had been pursuing the idea of acquiring the building, soon after Carter?s closed for good.
He also added that a local business proprietor has expressed an interest in taking over the IGA building, but nothing had been set in stone.