Popular Grocery Stores Chain Announced To Close Its Store Permanently

KJ’s Market announced this week plans to close their Moncks Corner location next month.

“What you hate about it is a lot of the employees that worked at BI-LO also work at KJ’s. They’ve been a part of the community,” said Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton. “The people that shopped there know them- it almost ends up like family, so them losing their jobs is a tough pill to swallow.”

Alex Lee, the company that owns KJ’s and Lowe’s Food stores, announced they are closing this location and Lowe’s Foods stores in Wilmington and Raleigh. They are opening new stores in other locations. The company said they plan to offer employees jobs at other locations where possible.

“I think what KJ’s biggest downfall was, they followed BI-LO. I was a BI-LO shopper and when you have buy one get one free, fuel perks, things like that, if you don’t come in and differentiate yourself then that’s hard for a store,” he said.

KJs opened on US 52 after BI-LO closed its store nearly four years ago.

Mayor Hamilton says fortunately, Moncks Corner does have several other options for residents.

“I feel like we’re lucky in a way because you look at Pinehaven over in North Charleston. When Winn-Dixie closed that was a whole section without a grocery store. We have several in town. The new Publix opened in Foxbank recently. So, one thing we’re doing is we’re always looking at a business that wants to come into town and we do have some leads on getting another grocery store down the road it’s just we have to work it,” he said.

“We hate losing any business in town. We understand, and in this economic time sometimes it’s gonna happen,” Mayor Hamilton added. “I want to send my prayers to those affected because right now it’s not a good time to lose a job, especially one that you’ve had for many years.”

KJ’s Market is expected to close sometime by the end of August.