Those who depend on the Wilde Lake Giant food store will have to find a new place to shop when it closes in November.
“It?s going to change my way of life,” said Joyce Baer, who does not drive and moved to Cross Fox Condominiums because of its proximity to the center.
“It?s the everyday things, the heavy things, like laundry detergents, that I won?t be able to get.”
The closing of the Wilde Lake store is part of the widespread closure of many of the chain?s stores.
“It?s one of the oldest stores. We can?t provide the same services and wide variety of products that we have at our newer, larger stores,” said Barry Scher, vice president of public affairs for Giant.
The store, built in 1967, is only about 25,000 square feet, compared to newer Giants, which range from 60,000 to 70,000 square feet, he said.
The business replacingthe Giant has not been determined, but Wilde Lake Village Board and Task Force Member Mary Pivar stressed the importance of having an anchor store to ensure the village center?s viability.
Those who do not have cars ? including some of the elderly and low-income residents ? will be affected the most by Giant?s departure, said state House Del. Elizabeth Bobo, D-District 12B, who represents Wilde Lake.
“We are very pedestrian friendly here in Wilde Lake. It?s extremely important for there to be a grocery store in the village center,” she said.
“The county government should do whatever it takes to make sure we have a grocery store in this village center.”
IF YOU GO
» What: Wilde Lake Village Board Task Force will gather feedback from the community about changes to the Wilde Lake Village Center and downtown redevelopment
» When: Nov. 30; time has not been determined
» Where: Slayton House on Twin Rivers Road
