Canton reacts to imminent closing of P&C Foods

CANTON — Cynthia K. Mouthorp dreads having to drive out of town to buy groceries if another food store doesn't take over immediately when the Canton P&C Foods shuts down in February — especially on a wintry day like Wednesday, when many north country schools canceled classes and icy roads landed some vehicles in roadside ditches.

"I'm in here two or three times a week," Mrs. Mouthorp said as she shopped Wednesday afternoon at the P&C, the community's only supermarket. "I wish they weren't closing. I've lived here my whole life and this is where I've always shopped."

She and her husband, Roderick G. Mouthorp, operate a dairy farm on Old DeKalb Road and don't have a lot of spare time to drive to stores in Potsdam or Ogdensburg whenever they need groceries, she said.

"I also have a mother-in-law in her 80s who doesn't like the idea of having to travel to get her groceries," Mrs. Mouthorp said. "We have two colleges in Canton. It doesn't make sense for us to not have a grocery store."

Bankruptcy for P&C parent company Penn Traffic will mean the sale or closing of its 79 remaining P&C, Quality and BiLo stores. In bankruptcy court this week, Price Chopper, a Schenectady supermarket chain with stores in Watertown, Ogdensburg and Malone, made a bid to buy the Canton, Gouverneur, Massena and Potsdam P&C stores.

Penn Traffic is expected to ask the court to expedite the sale of the four north country stores because it needs cash to remain open while seeking buyers for the rest of its assets.

Eleanor M. Beauvais, a retired St. Mary's School teacher, said that when she moved to Canton in 1975 there were four grocery stores here and she's having a hard time accepting that the only one that's left will be closing.

The 72-year-old recollected that when power was out during the 1998 ice storm, the Canton P&C, 111 E. Main St., remained open so people could buy items like bread, eggs and milk.

"I remember getting handed a flashlight at the door. I was very grateful I could get the basics. The P&C is part of our community," Mrs. Beauvais said. "Some of these employees have been here a really long time. In this economy we don't need more people unemployed."

She estimated she buys about two thirds of her groceries at the Canton P&C and travels to Price Chopper in Ogdensburg and BJ's in Massena for the rest. However, she worries about elderly people who no longer drive long distances or have to rely on others for rides.

Mrs. Beauvais is among community members who said they hope that Price Chopper wins its bid to take over the Canton P&C store and that the transition takes place quickly.

"I like the variety at Price Chopper. I like their vegetables and their fruits. I like their pricing and the way they service their customers," she said.

Several other customers at the store said they don't want to spend the time or gas money to shop in other communities, but they expect they'll have no choice when P&C closes its doors.

Most customers said they're optimistic another store will take over Canton's P&C, but they realize there may be delay time as the two stores transition.

Some customers pointed out that owners of local restaurants rely on the Canton P&C for some of their produce and other food products.

Charles F. Rouse, operator of the 25 East Main Street Bed & Breakfast, said he shops at the store about every other day, often buying items used to make a morning meal for his overnight guests.

"Whatever happens with this store, I hope it happens fast. If I have to drive to Potsdam or Ogdensburg every time I need a couple of groceries, I'm going to be pulling my hair out," Mr. Rouse said.