Southwest Missouri News--Webb City

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Marti Attoun, Joplin area

Consumers Supermarket, in Webb City, will close its doors within the next three weeks, according to Ted Klovanick, president of Consumers.

The store has 33 employees. A "sell-down" of inventory began Jan. 31.

Consumers will continue to operate its stores in Joplin and Carthage, Klovanick said.

"Everybody is going after a piece of the grocery retail business," Klovanick said in explaining the closing. A new Wal-Mart Supercenter will open nearby March 17 and carry a full line of groceries and food products.

Also, restaurants and convenience stores have expanded their food lines, which have cut into the traditional grocery store business, Klovanick said.