What Happens When the Only Grocery in Town Closes

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: The Daily Yonder
Published: August 28, 2026
Source: Read at The Daily Yonder
Category: Food Access

The JayC grocery in Shoals, Indiana, closed in July 2025, leaving the town of 670 residents without a full-service grocery store. Residents now shop at a Dollar General east of town, drive a 16-mile round trip to Loogootee, or travel 25 miles to Washington or Bedford. Community leaders are exploring a locally operated store that could source inventory from local farmers and businesses. A temporary market at Bo-Mac's ran for 12 weeks, and leaders are discussing possible locations for a permanent store.

Why this matters: The closure shows how losing one store can force rural residents to travel for groceries, with added barriers for people who do not drive. Local markets, delivery options, and independent store models could help address the gap.

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