BEECH GROVE, Ind. -- Amid concerns of a food desert in Beech Grove, the Marsh in the area will re-open as a Safeway grocery store, officials announced Monday.
In May, Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley said the closing of the city's supermarket could cause major problems in the area.
“That would be considered a food desert, there's nowhere to go to get food, they're going to have to rely on transportation,” Buckley said in May. “Most of these people live in the general area of the store, that causes a problem.”
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The next closest store similar to the Marsh at 1815 Albany Street is a Walmart – about 2 miles away. Buckley said if Marsh stores close, he wants to find a replacement store.
"There's a lot of people who depend on that grocery store who do not drive so we really got to look out for those people. Going to CVS, Walgreens or Village Pantry is not a viable option for groceries," said Buckley.
The Beech Grove location will be Safeway's sixth store.
Safeway representatives said 98 percent of the Marsh employees have been re-hired to the Safeway location. There will be a job fair for new employees Thursday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. to fill about 20 more employees.
The store is expected to open the first week of August.
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