Independent grocer to replace closed Kroger in Raleigh

Raleigh, N.C. — Carlie C’s IGA, an independent grocer based in Dunn, said Friday it will open a store to replace Kroger that closed recently on New Bern Avenue.

The supermarket and pharmacy will open next month.

Carlie C’s president Mac McLamb said the company will make some improvements before opening, then tackle bigger remodeling projects in the coming months.

Ohio-based Kroger announced last month that it would close its stores on New Bern Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard because they had ceased being profitable. The closings worried city leaders and area residents who were concerned about the community’s ease of access to fresh produce and healthy food, especially for people on fixed incomes and with limited transportation.

Carlie C’s was founded by Carlie C. McLamb and his wife, Joyce, who opened their first country store in Johnston County in 1961.

They moved the store to Dunn a year later and began to grow. The family business now boasts 14 stores in Harnett, Johnston, Wake and Cumberland counties.

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Latest Comments

YAY! another local business to support :)

Bec0522
January 25, 2013 9:52 a.m.

Bravo for someone trying to keep the area residents with fresh food.

stagemanageralan
January 22, 2013 10:21 a.m.

....Partially correct. High volume isn't a requirement, its nice, but not essential

Well they wont stay in business long without sales. Some expenses you cannot control. With labor you have to pay min wage not many stores pay more. You cannot cut electrity. Lights, heat coolers must be operating. You cant control maint and keep the store looking at least decent. Advertising keeps customers coming in week after week. The reason a business fails is a lack of customers and no money. You cant control the rent if it is not your building. You dont think Kroger and Winn Dixie knew how to run a business? Frankly I like high sales--that puts money in the cash register. Then finally there is inventory shrinkage that you have to charge more for the items you sell making your prices higher. Many stores can sell cheaper because of their high volumne of sales.

superman
January 21, 2013 5:12 p.m.

I am willing to give them a try. I have seen their ads on TV and they seem to have some good sales. I was in that shopping center this morning and it was SO eerily quiet.

shortcake53
January 21, 2013 5:05 p.m.

To make money you have to have high volumne of sales and an inventory that doesnt shrink.

....Partially correct. High volume isn't a requirement, its nice, but not essential. Your profits just have to surpass your expenses. Carlie C's has been in business for a long time, so they know how to manage overhead (labor, electric, rent, maintenance, advertising, etc). It's why one businees fails and another similar one succeeds....it's all about managing your overhead closely, very closely. High volume can actually drive your overhead up, as it takes more people and more warehousing to handle it usually. Higher sales doesn't mean jack if your expenses go off the chart.

btneast
January 21, 2013 4:22 p.m.