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Maxwell’s Food Store in Auburn closing after almost a century

Another small, family-owned grocery store is calling it quits.

DiSanto Propane (Billboard)

Family agrees it’s time to close the doors

The Citizen reports Maxwell’s Food Store will close at the end of the month after 92 years on North Lewis St. Larry and Bobbie Maxwell are the remaining family members running the store after the death of Gary “Scotty” Maxwell, Bobbie’s husband, and Larry’s brother earlier this year. Bobbie Maxwell says the three of them agreed if one were to pass away, they would close the store.

Maxwell’s opened in the city’s Five Points neighborhood in 1930. The Maxwells say the store began a long downturn when urban renewal came to Five Points in the 60s and 70s. They say they didn’t consider hiring outside help. Only family has worked at Maxwell’s.

Independent grocery stores still account for 33% of sales in the US. The National Grocers Association says independent sales were up 17% in 2020. Maxwell’s will shut its doors at the close of business Sunday, July 31.


Related: Family-owned Palmyra grocery store being sold after 114 years