BY DAN HILDEBRAN
A cashier at Williamson’s Grocery confirmed a social media post stating that the store’s operator, Bruce Williamson, is retiring and that the grocery will likely close.
“Bruce has decided to retire and spend time with his granddaughter (she is adorable and full of personality) and family,” reads the Facebook post. “As of now, there is not a specific timeframe for the possible closure of the store. However, it is on the market, and there is a probability it will not remain a grocery store.”
The business celebrated its 50th anniversary two years ago.
Romie Williamson and his wife Twila opened Williamson’s Food Store in 1972, and the couple worked at the store daily, except Sunday, until Romie died in 2016.
The couple’s son Brian managed the business for a few years until his retirement, and now the grocery is run by the older son Bruce.
The same year the founder died, Dollar General announced it would build a discount outlet across the street from Williamson’s.
In an earlier story reporting the anniversary, 37-year Williamson’s meat cutter Paul Seay said that although the new competition did not impact his store’s meat sales, Dollar General did dent the traditional grocer’s paper products and packaged goods revenues.
He added that customers often bought meat from Williamson’s and then drove across the street for other groceries.
The meat cutter added that the trend away from traditional family meals and the fact that many Melrose residents work in Gainesville and purchase their groceries in Alachua County on the way home from work also impacted the Melrose grocery.
