Tribune Staff

The parking lot at Tipton's grocery store in Ironton was packed with cars Monday afternoon, perhaps more

jammed than it has been for quite some time.

Crowds of people are leaving with cartloads of cakes, pies and donuts. Although it is not highly unusual for Tipton's to sell a pastry or two, this will most likely be the busiest week the store has had for a while.

Unfortunately, it will be the busiest week the store ever has. The steady stream of customers is not caused by a sale or new goods are being offered. It is because these folks are stopping by to pay their respects to the business that has been a staple in the community for nearly 70 years.

Last week, the community read the sad news -- when 8 p.m. rolls around on Saturday, Tipton's will close its doors after 68 years. Tommy Tipton, co-owner of the store, said local population loss has hurt revenues, and the store has had trouble finding warehouses to supply their shelves.

Larger chain stores have hurt Tipton's, and like that, one of Ironton's few mom-and-pop grocery stores will be gone. As a result, 54 people will be looking for work.

Sadly, such news has become too familiar in Ironton and Lawrence County in recent years. The trickle-down effect has gone from small businesses, to large factories, to a hospital to, now, a family owned store that has been part of the community since most of us can remember.

While the grocery store was struggling, the store's bakery was doing well. Because of this, the family hopes to reopen the bakery in a different location in the future.

We hope they do. While losing a grocery store will hurt the city of Ironton, just having the Tipton name still in the community will help heal some wounds.

At the same time, city leaders need to push hard to find businesses to occupy the Tipton building as well as the several others in town such as the former Ames and Kroger buildings. One more lost business is going to hurt the city in the short-term, but with some long-range planning, Ironton can prosper by utilizing the prime commercial real estate it has available.