The Charleston Save-A-Lot will soon be closing.

Todd Martin, owner of the Charleston Save-A-Lot, said, “It’s just a time in our history where it makes sense to downsize our company and to exit the market.”

Martin would not give specifics related to why it was time to downsize beyond the previous statement, but said “it’s very difficult, but it’s what makes sense right now.”

Martin said no official closing date is set yet. The building is leased, so the store will close once the inventory and various details are taken care of.

As for the employees, Martin said, “What we told the staff is that if they wanted to look at our other locations to work in, to please visit with those store managers. Also, we know that we had so many good people that finding work in the community should not be difficult for them because they are good at what they do.”

According to the Save-A-Lot company profile, the chain of Save-a-lot discount grocery stores began with just a single store founded in 1977 by Bill Moran. There are now around 1,300 stores nationwide.

Destiny Bell can be reached at 581-2812 or at drtollerud@eiu.edu