The grocery has been seeing competition since 2015 when a Schnucks opened across from IGA on U.S. 41.

“I’ve been here 3 times this week,” says IGA shopper Charles Calvin.

“So I am stocked up, my freezer is full.”

Buehler’s IGA customers at the Northfield plaza on us 41 in Darmstadt only have about a month left to shop the grocer.

The store announced it is closing giving customers 20 to almost 90 percent off items.

“Soft drinks are gone, two or three aisles of stuff is gone. Can foods and frozen foods, there is still a good selection,” says Calvin.

For long-time IGA shoppers, some say the closure isn’t a shock.

“When ace hardware came in the kind of lost their selection,” says shopper Jenny Egli.

“They only have like one brand of something or the other. And they just didn’t have the variety that they had before. And when Schnucks moved in we all knew what was going to happen. There is no way they can compete with Schnucks.”

Others disagree.

“These stores like Aldi’s and Rulers are hurting them in my opinion,” says Calvin.

Either way, the IGA was an anchor store at the Northfield plaza.

Now some businesses are questioning if expanding their business in the plaza is the right decision.

“I am kind of taking that into consideration now that IGA is going away I am a little disappointed that they are closing,” says the Katelyn Watson the owner of Kateyln’s Alterations & Designs.

“I would run over there and grab something from ace hardware for business, and grab something for lunch. It was just quick and convenient and they are just so friendly,” says Watson.

With groceries selling at discounted prices, some shoppers are wondering if big chain stores or online shopping is hurting smaller grocers and the community.

“The smaller businesses are the ones that take care of our schools and what not so this is going to be bad,” says Egli.

“You know the older folks love to come here, they are not going to shop at…. You’ll wear yourself out going from one end of Schnucks to the other.”

According to a post made by the Darmstadt, Indiana Facebook page, the store is closing in about a week or two.