DECATUR -- When the local poultry plant closed in the early 1950s, the city of Decatur faced an uncertain future. With the population in decline, it looked like the small town of 600 would wither away and die.
A group of local business and civic leaders led by Lloyd Peterson devised a plan to bring the community back. With the help of the residents of this small Northwest Arkansas community, the city of Decatur survived and grew to nearly 1,700.
When Walmart announced the closing of the Gravette, Gentry and Decatur Neighborhood Market stores Jan. 15, it sent a shock wave through the entire Highway 59 corridor. It left many area residents wondering where they would go to shop for their grocery needs.
That spirit and pride that defined Decatur is rising once again. Faced with the loss of the Neighborhood Market, several Decatur businessmen and civic leaders devised a plan to aid those unable to drive the 15 miles to shop for their grocery needs.
"It is our civic duty to help the community in whatever way possible," said Chris Cole, manager of the Decatur Farmers Coop. "Starting Jan. 22 we will stock a limited supply of grocery items to help the local residents cope with the loss."
The Farmers Coop will begin selling milk, eggs and a limited amount of baked goods, including bread. They will also stock a limited supply of canned goods. The Coop currently carries a limited amount of snack-food items near its checkout area.
"We will make room near the main entrance to make it easier for our customers to locate," Cole said.
The Farmers Coop store in Decatur began serving the community in late July of 2015, six months after the Walmart store opened. Unlike the Coop, several businesses were in operation and well established when Walmart moved in, including the local Dollar General, TNT, EZ Mart, Handy Mart, Gallery Cafe and Carniceria Guanajuato Meat Market.
"We've been in business for six years, serving the community with our fresh meat and produce products," said Carlos Ocampo, owner of Carniceria Guanajuato Meat Shop. "I survived Walmart by giving my customers the product they wanted."
Ocampo is no stranger to the retail meat business. His father has been a meat cutter for more than 30 years, serving as the meat market manager at the Rogers Consumers grocery store.
"I grew up in this business," Ocampo said. "I plan on staying in this business and in Decatur for a very long time."
Another longtime business in Decatur that was directly impacted by the Walmart store was the Handy Mart on Roller Avenue. The store is located on the south side of the retail giant. But for owner Vikas "Lucky" Sood, it was more than just surviving.
"I put my life's savings into this store," Sood said. "I staked my whole life on the store's success."
By staying competitive with common items like gas and other products, combined with service, Sood survived. Now he wants to give a little back to the many residents that live in Decatur.
"I am talking to several vendors to bring in a limited amount of canned goods and produce items," Sood said.
Foot traffic is Decatur's secondary mode of transportation. On any given day, there are at least 20 or 30 area residents along the streets carrying bags of groceries, many lacking the resources to drive 20 or 30 miles to shop on a daily basis. With the help of local merchants, Decatur residents will still be able to shop for the staple items they need until a more satisfactory solution presents itself.
The city of Decatur survived without a grocery store before Walmart and it will do so long after the doors are closed. This is the Decatur way.
General News on 01/27/2016