Brookshire Grocery Co. has completed an equipment-purchasing agreement of Cash Saver in Pine Bluff, which is set to close soon, BGC announced Thursday.
BGC, which owns the Super 1 Foods locations in Pine Bluff and Brookshire’s in White Hall, said in a news release it was “aware of inaccurate information circulating online” regarding the purchase.
“Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC), the parent company of Super 1 Foods, has been a dedicated business in the Pine Bluff community for more than 28 years,” BGC said in the release. “BGC has completed an equipment purchasing agreement with the parent company of the Cash Saver store, located at 600 S. Ash Street in Pine Bluff. This agreement is the result of Cash Saver deciding to close their store. We welcome all Cash Saver employees to apply for open positions at our Super 1 Foods locations. We remain committed to serving and investing in the Pine Bluff community and are proud to be one of its largest employers.”
Cash Saver has been owned by Kenyan Grocery Co. of Springhill, La., which operates stores such as Piggly Wiggly and Save-a-Lot in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma, according to its Facebook page.
A spokesperson for BGC clarified the Tyler, Texas-based grocery chain is only involved in purchasing Cash Saver’s equipment once the store is closed. An email to Kenyan’s corporate office bounced back, and a call to the office went unanswered.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Store manager Joseph Washington, who worked at Cash Saver for 17 years, said the Pine Bluff location would close June 11.
“We found out Monday at 9 o’clock through a meeting,” Washington said.
About 25 to 30 people are employed at Cash Saver, Washington said, estimating a third of them have indicated they would apply for positions at Super 1.
“Everybody else, they’re just going to see where they fall,” Washington said. “I’ve got a couple of offers out. I don’t know exactly (what’s next), but I’m going to decide what’s best.”
Washington added he’s supporting the employees by “being there” for them and putting in good words for them in their job searches.
Starting next week, Washington said, prices on one’s ticket at Cash Saver would drop by 20% after purchase and, starting the week after, by 40%.
BGC closed a Super 1 location at the Broadmoor Shopping Center on East Harding Avenue in 2022. The location is now occupied by Roses Department Store.