Small Grocers Fear Whole Foods' Impact In Louisiana

Whole Foods Market may attract shoppers from local specialty markets when it opens in Shreveport in 2015. But some small market owners anticipate that will be temporary and customers will return for the personal service and convenience their stores provide.

Ross Barclay, owner of Maxwell’s Market, a specialty grocery on Line Avenue, said he’s worried about the impact Whole Foods could have on his business. However, several Baton Rouge Maxwell’s Markets are within a couple blocks of Whole Foods and have not been affected, he said.

“It’s a larger market, of course, but that gives me hope that we’ll be able to weather it for the few months that people may go try them out.”

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