CLENDENIN, W.Va. –Nine years after devastating floodwaters hit Clendenin, residents finally have a grocery store, allowing them to shop without leaving town limits.
A Save-a-Lot store has opened in the former Smith’s Foodfair building, which was devastated by flooding in 2016.
Local leaders and Houchens Food Group, the company that owns and operates the store, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new location on August 27.
Clendenin Mayor Kay Summers said the response during and after the grand opening has been fantastic.
“All the people came from corporate office but the nice thing about this company is they’re employee owned and so therefore all the employees and the president and all the management team came, it was fantastic. Every day the parking lot is full because it’s been so long,” Summers said recently on 580 Live.
The store features a larger produce section, a bigger meat department, hot food options, and household items.
Summers said residents would have to travel outside of town limits in order to shop.
She said they needed it within town limits for economic growth.
“For economic growth, economically we have to have the business in the town limits, and now it is, it’s a lot bigger, bigger selection, and it’s pretty and it’s clean and we’re thrilled,” Summer said.
The store is among 88 Houchens Food Group locations across West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.
In addition to promoting economic growth, Summers added that the new store will generate much-needed revenue for the town and surrounding areas.
“That revenue is going to make up and help us, “she said. “Like I say that store also foods the three counties, Kanawha, Clay, and Roane and before the flood it was one of their top revenue stores. So, this is really really important to us, and I appreciate every car on the parking lot.”
The store is located at 106 Beech St. in Clendenin.
Photo: Save-A-Lots website