Churchills closing

Is it closing, or is the building just for sale? [Central Ave.]

Additional discussions about this recent topic:

• http://toledotalk.com/cgi-bin/tt.pl/article/120764/03Jul2012/What__When_did_Churchills_close

• http://toledotalk.com/cgi-bin/tt.pl/article/121649/13Jul2012/Churchills_Location_-_Whats_on_your__Wish_List

Update from the Blade:

Closing in the next few weeks.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Retail/2012/08/27/Churchill-s-in-West-Toledo-to-close-1.html

You know, at first I was really sad to hear this. Have been swinging by Churchill's for one thing or another since forever.

But then, I started remembering what it was like when The General still ran it, and the staff ALWAYS greeted you and asked to help you and ran your groceries to the car without so much as asking. These days, if you can get a cashier (anywhere) to even say "hello," it's a miracle.

And so in recent years, I found myself going more and more to Fresh Market -- which is funny, because when they first opened, I thought they were overpriced for this market, and too "yuppy-ambitious" in their display/business strategy.

But dang! Their produce is always first-rate. Their meats are as good or better than Schorling's and Rohr's. Their staff is wonderful. The store is always pleasant to be in: nice lighting, lovely music. Their product selection, while not vast, is consistently good and even interesting.

So, um, yes. Not surprised to see Churchill's going under. I'm among those who went there less and less, and to Fresh Market more and more.

Schorling's, give heed to shoppers like me.

I am sorry to see this happen, because I really like Churchill's but sandwiched in between Kroger, Costco, Freshmarket and Foodtown makes it difficult. I guess the store is profitable, just not profitable enough to cover the tax problems from the other store deals that went down. I always liked the place and they were competitively priced and the staff are always nice to me. With the General it was a labor of love, but who makes those kinds of comittments today. Now it is only about money, money, money, more, more, more!

"I always liked the place and they were competitively priced and the staff are always nice to me."

Then its time to start shopping the one in Maumee or Perrysburg. Different side of the family. Great place to shop.

molson... "the different side of the family" explains a lot - never understood how the two burb stores were competing with fresh market and andersons while the central store languished. still... easiest place for me to find a good beer selection and i find the staff very friendly.

luvt... absolutely correct; schorlings needs to make up their mind if they are in the game or just holding on til the clock runs out. the produce has been pretty bad for years...

I too feel very bad about Churchills closing. Always thought that it was a lovely store. I was told by a long term store cashier that Costco was the store that really did them in. They also had a huge theft that was not covered by insurance. Was also told that the store would be becoming a DOLLAR STORE. Agree totally with all the comments about Schorlings. I was in there this morning and every beautiful homegrown tomato that I picked up appeared half rotten.

After General Churchill left the place just wasn't the same.

Yet another victim of the "too-big-for-their-britches" syndrome.

A Dollar Store? :( Well, I guess that is better than a payday loan operation

A Dollar Store? :( Well, I guess that is better than a payday loan operation

Not by much...

They also had a huge theft that was not covered by insurance.

Do you have any more details? Was it in the news and I missed it?

Copper tubing was stolen in May. I don't know anything about their insurance, though.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2012/03/10/Copper-pipe-stolen-from-supermarket.html

I have shopped at Churchills nearly everyday for the last 14 years and will miss them terribly. I have always tried to support local business. At the end of July when word of their closing became more well known, some one put "Support Churchills" signs up at all the intersections in Old Orchard.

I don't have anything to contribute but since I commented on the first 4 threads of board figured I might was well post something...

I do miss Kazemeyers on Garden and Holland too...

Anymore, a stop to Churchills meant I was too lazy to leave the neighborhood for beer or a couple tomatoes. I used to make a point to shop there, but it got to the point where it was clear they did not want my business. The deli was the worst. Some of my neighbors would say the same. That one girl in the deli. I feel so bad to have to bother her to scoop me my potato salad. You know a subtle eye roll will go farther than you'd think. I don't expect much. You don't have to be friendly or make conversation. Just don't act like an arrogant ass when I hand you my money at a higher margin than most of your competition. I actually told one of their pseudo managers at one time that with costco and fresh market coming that their days were numbered. There is a girl who cashiers on weekends when I occasionally come in for beer who I almost expect to spit on me. It's hilarious. I walk up to the counter, smile, say hi, keep my eyes to the ground and the little bitch just glares. I feel like jerry seinfeld trying to buy soup. I have owned retail businesses. I don't expect much. Just don't be a complete freaking ass.

Ahh. I feel better now.

We went there last night and picked up quite a few specialty items. The shelves are surprisingly bare at this point. Anyone who wants one last visit should go today or tomorrow.