White River Market, owned by parent company The Market, has been downsizing the grocery section of the store to make room for an Ace Hardware.
“Future plans for the White River Market are to put in an Ace Hardware store on one half of the store and groceries on the other,” manager Nick Adams said. “In doing this, we will be able to expand our grocery side by reducing what does not sell and bringing into the market what caters more towards the town’s needs.”
White River Market is one of six grocery stores owned by The Market, and will be only the second of their stores to be paired with an Ace Hardware.
Adams said he has heard many rumors regarding the future of the grocery store including a potential closure of the store.
He wants customers to know that, “It will not close.”
“However, with that being said, we need the community to support us,” Adams said. “I hear fear of change, but this change is a change for the best.”
While some locals have expressed concern about the potential market for a third hardware store in Rangely, town Mayor Frank Huitt is interested to see how the store turns out.
“We welcome all business to the community,” Huitt said. “That’s what free enterprise is all about.”
White River Market is busy planning a soft opening to debut the new grocery and hardware store on July 4.
“We are focusing on our goals at hand, to create a happy, beautiful store for our wonderful town of Rangely, Colo.,” Adams said.
