This Just In ...

Franklin loses a Sendik's

Posted by Kevin Fischer on June 30, 2009

Franklin blogger John Michlig broke the news Monday that Sendik’s on Highway 100 would be closing and would re-open as a Pick ‘n’ Save.

Monday night, I contacted a relative of mine who works at a Pick ‘n’ Save to try to learn more. I was told Pick ‘n’ Save employees have heard the rumors for weeks that Sendik’s was going to close, but they had heard nothing about Pick ‘n’ Save taking over.

Very, very  early this morning, my relative called me to tell me a higher-up confirmed Pick ‘n’ Save was moving into the Sendik’s facility and that no Pick ‘n’ Save outlets in Franklin would close.

I am very surprised and saddened by this news.

I have patronized both Sendik’s stores in Franklin. I found them both to be of high quality. For many reasons, I found the Sendik’s experience at 51^st and Rawson to be more pleasurable. I never dreamed the Sendik’s on Highway 100 would fold up, that it would always tough it out. That’s been the successful pattern of Sendik’s, a model for high quality and achievement. I respect the owners' decision to close.

So what happened?

Was the Sendik’s at Highway 100 too close to the one at 51^st and Rawson? No, that’s a foolish theory.

Was the Sendik’s at 51^st and Rawson so far superior to the one that is about to close? I don’t think so, though I could make a case as to why one had advantages over the other, including opening earlier.

Was it the economy?

Maybe. That’s an obvious, convenient answer.

The true answer is one that far too many just don’t understand. The market decided. It had nothing to do with the cuts of beef, pedestrian access (Gimme a break), ripples in the parking lot, or number of bike paths. The market (consumers) made its voice heard.

This is sad news. Sendik’s opened with great splash (I was there) and great promise. No other community had two Sendik’s stores.

Some will lose their jobs. Franklin loses a top-notch tenant.

However, there is no blight of an empty building for months to come. Pick ‘n’ Save ain’t chopped liver. Unlike some developments that never were, this property continues to operate and grow.

The owners of Pick ‘n’ Save are smart. Hopefully they will learn from what troubled Sendik’s.

A Pick ‘n’ Save insider says it would be wise to adopt a program where locals, i.e. the consumers across the street in that nice swanky subdivision, could call in their complete shopping orders for pick-up and have Pick ‘n’ Save comply.

Do it, Pick ‘n’ Save.

The fact is Franklin consumers still have top-shelf quality options to choose from. 

While we feel terrible about the loss of Sendik’s, we should feel good about the possibilities that await Franklin shoppers.