Rumors to the contrary are just that, G&W Grocery will start construction of a new store here later this year, David Toland, executive director of Thrive Allen County, told the Register Friday. A specific date has not been announced.
“G&W is a large company with a lot of priorities,” Toland remarked, including recent acquisition of additional stores in Fort Scott and Independence. When announcement of the Iola store was made in 2015, the two additional stores were not on G&W’s radar. “They anticipate opening the store here next spring.”
The store will be constructed where the former Allen County Hospital was, and south of the 12-unit apartment completion that is being built.
“I know a lot of people are impatient, including my wife (Beth), but they can rest assured the store will be built in Iola,” Toland said.
Also, he said construction of a second apartment building, with eight units, would begin after the present one being built was completed. It will be directly to the east, where a construction trailer sits now. “Those apartments will probably be ready in the spring,” he said.
