Kreimes Cardinal Grocery closing Dec. 1

SANDUSKY — A supermarket staple in Sandusky for four-plus decades will permanently check out within a month's time.On Wednesday, Kreimes Cardinal Grocery management announced the independently owned, family-run market would cease operations on Dec. 1."To our great sorrow, we are forced to close the store," according to a company statement. "We greatly appreciate the friendship and the loyalty that we have had over the past 42.5 years. We will continue to sell groceries, limited meat and have bill payments, money orders and lottery to the very end."Management of Kreimes Cardinal Grocery on Wednesday announced the locally owned grocery store would close on Dec. 1. The decision to close stems from medical reasons, according to market manager Butch Sinwald.The decision to close stems from medical reasons, according to market manager Butch Sinwald."We are having health issues," said Sinwald, referring to both him and owner Bob Kreimes, who's worked at the store since it opened on East Washington Street in July 1975. "We also just want to retire." Sinwald is 69, and Kreimes is 71.As of today, it's not known what could become of the business or the property.Kreimes described the whole situation as "sad.""I'll miss our people," said Kreimes, referring to both the store's 400 regular customers and 12 employees.The loyal customer base derives from, among other reasons, Cardinal producing tasty meats from its butcher shop at reasonable rates. The business also sells many locally sourced products.Management of Kreimes Cardinal Grocery on Wednesday announced the locally owned grocery store would close on Dec. 1. "To our great sorrow, we are forced to close the store," according to a company statement. "We greatly appreciate the friendship and the loyalty that we have had over the past 42.5 years. We will continue to sell groceries, limited meat and have bill payments, money orders and lottery to the very end."Sandusky officials, meanwhile, realize the hardship this could cause for shoppers accustomed to patronizing a smaller store."We are taking actions to try to ameliorate the situation for Cardinal's customers," city economic development specialist Maria Muratori said. "We are initiating a community survey, arranging public meetings, arranging for transportation to and from other grocery stores in addition to positioning that space or an alternative to meet the grocery needs of our community."Added city neighborhood outreach coordinator Talon Flohr: "We are in the process of scheduling several public meetings in the downtown area to discuss and plan for the future with residents. This is in addition to the survey that will be available at Cardinal Grocery and online to gauge the shopping needs and preferences downtown/Kilbourne Plat area. This input will allow staff to plan transit options for those in the surrounding area, ensuring all residents have continued access to groceries."For months, Sinwald and Kreimes weighed the pros and cons of closing. Ultimately, they decided shuttering would be in their families' best interests."It was such a hard decision," Sinwald said. "We feel sorry for everyone. We have had customers and vendors crying at times when we've told them. It's unfortunate, but we have to do what we have to do."Management of Kreimes Cardinal Grocery on Wednesday announced the locally owned grocery store would close on Dec. 1, ending a 42-year-plus run in business. The store is located on East Washington Street in Sandusky.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.