Grocery chain closes its only store in town, leaving locals behind

Grocery chain closes its only store in town, leaving locals behind

Fernanda Tronco

Thu, September 10, 2026 at 7:47 PM GMT+3 3 min read

An independent grocery chain is preparing to close its only location in one community after 17 years, leaving residents without a nearby full-service grocery store or pharmacy.

The move comes as grocery retailers continue to face intense competition from large supermarket chains and discount retailers, putting pressure on smaller operators to maintain profitable store networks.

For independent grocery companies, those challenges can make it increasingly difficult to compete on price with larger retailers that benefit from greater purchasing power and established supply chains.

Founded in 1978 in Aspen, Colorado, Clark's Market offers a community-focused alternative to large national supermarket chains. The company operates stores across Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.

Clark's Market closes its last store in Parachute

Clark's Market is closing its Battlement Mesa store in Parachute, Colorado, on Sept. 12, 2026, ending its presence in the area since 2009 and leaving the community without a nearby full-service grocery store or pharmacy.

Although Clark's Market still operates seven stores across Colorado, the company's nearest location to Battlement Mesa is the Meeker store, about 60 miles away, according to its store locator.

The company said the Battlement Mesa store has struggled to compete with larger national retailers, which can offer lower prices because of their greater purchasing volumes and more direct supply chains, Post Independent reported.

"It makes a store like Clark's Market a fill-in grocery store, and unfortunately, just long-term, that just isn't sustainable," said Clark's Market director of marketing and community affairs Samantha Johnston.

What the Clark's Market Parachute closure means for consumers

The Battlement Mesa closure means residents will lose the last remaining location for full-service grocery shopping or pharmacy services in Parachute.

Once the shutdown is finalized, Rifle will be the nearest town with a grocery store or pharmacy, but it is more than 16 miles away, which could pose several problems for the affected community.

Here's some of my previous coverage of grocery store closures:

• Grocery Outlet: Closed 12 stores during the 13 weeks ended July 4, 2026, including nine locations tied to its Optimization Plan.

• Ahold Delhaize USA: Closed several stores in 2026 and late 2025.

• Brookshire Grocery Company: Closed four locations across Louisiana and Arkansas in July 2026.

"We're definitely concerned with the impact that's going to be felt. Definitely some significant impact for folks," said Parachute Town Manager Travis Elliot.

The loss of a nearby supermarket can be particularly difficult for older residents, lower-income households, and people without reliable transportation.

Research from the 2025 Public Transit Supports for Food Access Survey found that grocery-store closures can create additional challenges for these groups, especially in communities with limited alternatives.

Grocery retailers continue adjusting store networks

Clark's Market's exit comes as retailers across the grocery industry continue to reassess their physical footprints and concentrate investments on locations with stronger long-term prospects.

The grocery industry remains highly competitive, with traditional supermarkets facing pressure from large-scale retailers and discount chains, according to Kaizen Institute.

Clark's Market is not the only supermarket company adjusting its store network. Several other grocery chains have also announced or completed store closures in recent months.

For some households, the loss of a grocery store can make it more difficult to access affordable food, particularly when transportation options are limited. Community leaders and food-access advocates have warned that vulnerable populations can bear the greatest burden when nearby stores close.

Related: Grocery chain closes one of its last stores in major market

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Sep 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.