Chamber survey for community input on Grocery Stores

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Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an online survey this Spring to gather information from the community on grocery stores for the White Lake Commons Plaza.

In 2007 Farmer Jack announced the closing of many stores in SE Michigan, two of the stores were in the Clarkston Area, leaving vacant anchor stores in two shopping plazas in our community. For those businesses in the plazas, retail dropped dramatically. Some businesses closed their doors and others are hanging on, hoping for a new tenant to take the anchor spot and spur commerce once again.

This winter, we saw the addition of the Salavation Army Family Store, take the spot at Waldon and Sashabaw and immediately, dramatically increase the foot traffic for storefronts nearby.

The former Farmer Jack location continues to sit vacant. In a prime location at White Lake and Dixie Hwy., White Lake Commons is an ideal location for a grocery store anchor.

Rumors of possible interest in the building have had some truth to them. There are grocery chains interested in the Clarkston Area and in that property. Yet recent negotiations that seemed close to success, have not yet panned out.

Talk to 5 different people and they will give you 5 different reasons for why there isn't a grocery store in that complex yet.

For our businesses on Dixie Hwy. , and particularly for those in White Lake Commons, it matters a lot that there isn't a store anchoring the plaza, providing additional foot traffic and commerce. For residents, who frequently call the Chamber, it matters that they must drive to surrounding communities, sometimes 30 minutes or more to shop at grocery stores they wish were in the Clarkston area.

Kroger does offer three stores in our area. These stores are newer builds or are currently in renovation. As one resident explained when calling the Chamber, "I'm glad Kroger is here, but they don't carry the variety and specialty items I can find at VG's, Papa Joes, Nino Salvaggio, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods."

So the Chamber is asking for your input.

Survey results will be posted on the Chamber's website and presented to the Independence Township Board later this Spring.

Click here to take survey