Erin Swing Romanos posted this, and it answers a lot of questions I’ve been getting about the abrupt closure of Keller’s IGA, an anchor in the Gaslight district for years, and the source of groceries for many in the Clifton area, as it is both walkable and on a bus route. It’s so important to support local businesses, particularly places like local grocery stores and local hardware stores that are swiftly becoming victims of both the economy and big-box chains.

Dear Fellow Cliftonites,

News of the sudden closing of Keller’s IGA has hit the neighborhood hard, and we wanted to share some information about efforts to quickly reopen this cornerstone of our business community. A group of concerned residents met Wednesday with John Vierling, one of the store’s co-owners, to gather information and to seek ways that community members could help get the store back in business and on healthy financial footing. Keller’s IGA, which has done business in its current location for more than 65 years, is now owned by Mr. Vierling and Charlie Dugger, who have 80 years combined experience working in the grocery business. They are committed to finding a solution to their current financial problems and are working tirelessly to reopen as soon as possible. Earlier plans to reopen as soon as Jan. 7 fell through when a financing package that had been tentatively arranged did not materialize. The owners are working on alternative financing plans.

Keller’s was hit hard by the recent recession and has suffered a decline in sales due to increased competition from major retail chains, and by ongoing building maintenance problems that have been apparent to customers. During this downturn, the owners used scarce dollars to pay their vendors in order to keep their shelves stocked and revenue flowing rather than keeping current with their state and county taxes. At the time of the store’s abrupt closing, Keller’s had been working with the Ohio Attorney General’s office on a repayment plan for part of their debt to the state when the Ohio Tax Commissioner, in a separate action, sent a notice demanding full payment of the rest of their debt to the state, an amount that they did not have on hand.

Despite the many challenges facing independent supermarkets, Keller’s believes it can revise its cost structure to return to profitability if and when the state allows it to reopen. Along with John and Charlie, we are soliciting the help of state and local elected officials on a plan to resolve the tax issue as soon as possible.

There will surely be a role for residents who want to help return Keller’s to financial health, first and foremost by giving the store our business when it reopens, and we will pass along information on other ways to help as it becomes available. Please stay tuned.

Sincerely,

CTM Trustees



