Two Geezers Closing Downtown Grocery Financial Concerns Involved In Decision To Abandon Venture
Two Geezers Grocery, a quirky combination deli/grocery shop in the Sherwood Complex downtown, is grumpily calling it quits today.
“I’m tired and I’m old,” said Geezer co-owner Stephen Portch.
Self-proclaimed geezers Portch and co-owner John Short opened the full-service deli and grocery store five years ago. Last year they opened Two Geezers II, a deli in the skywalk level of River Park Square, which will remain open.
The grocery featured an eclectic lot of canned goods such as dog food and watercress chestnuts, in addition to imitation king crab, fresh vegetables, soda and household cleaning fluids. In an effort to liquidate, all non-deli items are 25 percent off today.
The duo opened Two Geezers when it dawned on them that there were no grocery stores downtown.
“That’s one of the first things I noticed when I moved here, that people needed a grocery store here and didn’t have one,” Portch said.
When Geezers closes its doors, the downtown grocery niche will again be empty. Gas station convenience stores, fast-food restaurants and delicatessens will be the closest things to grocery stores downtown.
Payless Drug Store, 112 N. Howard, has a selection of canned and processed food but does not carry fruits, vegetables or meat. The Safeway at 1617 W. 3rd will be the nearest full-service market to the downtown area.
“It’s too bad they’re closing,” said Two Geezers diner Dean Gilbert. “This store is a real service for the downtown area. People who live and shop here need a green grocer.”
Portch said they’re making the move to lessen their workload, but they might have had a little encouragement.
According to court records, Sterling Sterling Savings Association, which acquired ownership of the Sherwood Building two weeks ago, filed a claim against Two Geezers Grocery seeking restitution of premises.
Sterling filed suit because Two Geezers defaulted on the terms of the lease and could not make payments, said Sterling Senior Vice President Heidi Stanley.
“We asked for a court order to evict these tenants from the property. However, we need to make it very clear that the owners agreed to eviction if they fall behind in the rent,” Stanley said.
She added that the eviction was “procedural as part of lease agreement” and that Sterling had no plans to change the building or its tenant mix.
“The total plan for Sherwood Complex has not been determined at this time, but I wouldn’t look in the future for major changes,” Stanley said Wednesday.
But the Two Geezers said their decision to leave was based on waning enthusiasm for working long hours.
Portch said downtown has a “viable need for a grocery store,” but admitted that financial concerns were part of the reason he decided to leave.
“This isn’t exactly a retirement, but I’m old and my body won’t keep up like it used to. This is hard work, you know,” Portch said Wednesday.