Saint Matthews, SC (WLTX) - Residents in one Midlands town is concerned after their only major grocery store announced they’ll be closing their doors soon.
If you live in St. Matthews, more than likely you get your grocery shopping done at Bi-Lo.
Fairy Bell Ellis wasn't happy when she heard that the Bi-Lo would be closing in her hometown.
"This is where everybody comes to shop. This is ridiculous that the store is going to close. What are we going to have to go to,” explained Ellis.
Parent company Southeastern Grocers announced that it would be closing some doors and this Bi-Lo happens to be one of them.
Now folks are wondering where else to go.
"You have to go so far to shop. It's 14 miles to go to Orangeburg and about 35 miles to go to Columbia. This is ridiculous. We have no other place to go," said Ellis.
Jesper Lykes isn't only concerned for the people that shop at the store.
"I thought it was doing well. You can see the parking lot is normally full everyday. I think it's going to impact the kids with their summer job coming right from school here and now they're going to have to get out of school and find a part-time job 10, 15, 20 miles from here," said Lykes.
Those in Saint Matthews like Bernard Ellis are hoping someone steps up to the plate to give what they think the town needs.
"There's no competition here. Really all the big shopping is right here. They should be able to make a profit here and survive," said Bernard Ellis.
Lykes believes stores won’t have a problem coming to the town. He just hopes something happens soon.
"(I hope) that another store comes or they change their mind about closing this one. People will come," said Lykes.
For a full list of the other grocery stores that will be closing in the Midlands, click here.