Work continues to bring a grocery store back to North Judson, but it might be in a different location. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe told the town council Monday that an individual has purchased the Grand Central Station building at Lane and Adair streets, with the hope of putting some type of grocery in it.
The individual had initially expressed interest in the former Heartland Market/Ray’s Super Foods store down the street, according to Rowe, but was unable to reach an agreement with the current owner.
Rowe said the coffee shop in the back of the Grand Central Station building would remain for now. “They worked it out,” Rowe told council members. “They’re going to be there. They’re going to stay there a bit. But she wants to eventually build her own small drive-through-oriented place in or around the downtown area.” Rowe said he put the coffee shop owner in contact with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation for possible financial help.
North Judson has been without a grocery store since Heartland Market closed. Despite the closure, Rowe says the business continues to make payments on a five-year loan it got from the town, and it will be paid off in June. That could make funding available to help small businesses.
