The Save A Lot grocery store in the village of Newark is closing, ending years of operation and prompting an immediate wave of concern from residents who say the loss will affect access to affordable food, especially for people without transportation.
The announcement came in a message posted by the store’s operators on Facebook, where ownership confirmed they are leaving both the Newark location and the grocery business entirely.
“It is with heavy hearts and wet eyes that we write this post,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, our time in Newark and the grocery world has come to an end. We have given everything we have to this business but it’s time to let it go and start a new chapter.”
The owners thanked customers and employees, describing both groups as extended family and emphasizing the emotional difficulty of the decision.
“To our staff… this is hard. The hardest thing we’ve ever had to do,” the post continued. “We have been blessed with the greatest, most loyal crew of all time… We’ve grown up together and watched our families grow up together. We even survived COVID together.”
No specific reason for the closure or final closing date was included in the statement.
Community reaction centers on access and affordability
Within hours, hundreds of comments appeared beneath the announcement, many focusing less on nostalgia and more on what the loss means for daily life in Newark.
Several residents said the store served as a primary source of affordable groceries, particularly meat products frequently mentioned as lower priced than competitors.
Others pointed to transportation barriers. Newark residents without vehicles repeatedly raised concerns about having to travel farther for groceries, especially during winter.
Some commenters worried the closure could intensify what they described as a growing food access gap in the village. Others predicted remaining stores could see price increases due to reduced competition.
A number of people shared personal connections to the store and ownership, describing longtime employment, family relationships with staff and decades-long shopping routines built around the location.
Speculation about causes and future use
While ownership did not cite a cause, commenters speculated about competition from larger retailers and broader economic pressures affecting independent grocery operations. Some mentioned nearby national chains, while others discussed broader trends of small businesses leaving rural communities.
Residents also questioned what business, if any, might replace the store, with suggestions ranging from another discount grocer to a new franchise operator. As of now, no replacement tenant has been announced.
A larger local impact
The closure represents more than a retail change for many residents who relied on the location as a walkable grocery option in the village center.
Beyond food access, commenters repeatedly referenced employment, community identity and the growing number of vacant storefronts as concerns tied to the loss.
For now, ownership’s message focused on gratitude and departure rather than explanation.
“That all being said, it’s on to the next chapter in life,” the post concluded.
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