The family-owned Salem IGA will close for the final time next Tuesday night and will reopen under new owners next Thursday as Farm Fresh Market.
Steve Jones says the decision to retire and sell the family business was a difficult one but when a buyer was found who wanted to continue the operation much as it has been in the past, he felt the time was right.
The store has been purchased by Sam Ramadan who also owns Farm Fresh Market in Breese.
After closing next Tuesday night, the store will be closed next Wednesday for inventory and transition before reopening under the new owners on Thursday, October 26th. Employees of Salem IGA will transition to the new owners and Jones anticipates shoppers will see few immediate differences.
Jones says on behalf of his entire family he wants to thank those in Salem and surrounding communities for their business and support over the years.
Jones became manager at Salem IGA in 1975 and purchased the store from his father in 1985. Salem IGA is one of the oldest businesses in Salem. It traces its origin back 79 years when Steve’s grandfather Charlie Jones entered a partnership with Vursell IGA in the now Salem Times-Commoner building on South Broadway. Charlie initially operated the meat market before purchasing the entire business. Salem IGA then moved to a North Jefferson location just west of the current store that was constructed in 1966. There have been several additions over the years since then.
