Dillons to close in Springfield, Price Cutter acquires real estate

Price Cutter has penned an agreement to purchase the real estate and equipment of the four Springfield Dillons supermarkets after the chain exits the city in January.

Dillons Stores confirmed the closure of the stores - 1707 W. Battlefield Road, 1831 W. Kearney St., 1260 St. Louis St. and 2843 E. Sunshine St. - in a news release.

Donna Pirotte, a spokeswoman with Fasone & Partners speaking on behalf of Price Cutter, said the company will perform its due diligence to gain a clearer picture of what will become of the closed Dillons locations. No new Price Cutter stores have been confirmed.

“We are currently assessing new store concepts, conducting market research and evaluating community needs,” Price Cutter President Erick Taylor said in a provided statement. “Once Dillons approached us of their intent to vacate the Springfield market, as president of Price Cutter, I felt it was my responsibility to our 2,600 employees to keep our company looking forward and explore the opportunity to purchase the Dillons real estate.

“Our priority is to create what is most beneficial to our community, our customers and our employees.”

Terms of the real estate deals are undisclosed, Pirotte said.

Calling Dillons’ decision to leave Springfield disappointing news, Taylor pointed to a congested marketplace as a possible reason.

“Springfield is a very competitive market and has recently experienced rapid growth in the grocery retail market,” Taylor said. “Within two years, our community has acquired several new grocery stores, including several Wal-Mart Neighborhood [Market] stores and a Hy-Vee.”

In its release, Dillons said pharmacy operations at the stores would close immediately and customers would have their prescriptions transferred to nearby Walgreens’ locations.

Dillons spokeswoman Sheila Lowrie could not be reached for comment by deadline.

“The decision to exit Springfield is a regrettable but necessary step following the regular assessment of our supermarket operations,” Lowrie said in the release.