TOWN OF LIMA, N.Y. -- A vacant property along Main Street may look like just an empty lot, but for the Town of Lima, it's an opportunity.
The lot used to be home to a Save-A-Lot grocery store, one of few places Lima residents could conveniently go to stock up on groceries. After the store went out of business in winter 2016, McCala Moodie and other community members started a petition to bring in another grocery food store chain, Aldi.
“I think it'll be great if we could get them in Lima,” said resident Bill Carey. “I would hate to see the fact that we don't have a grocery store be the demise of our community. We're such a tight-knit, amazing little town.”
The petition to bring Aldi to Lima has generated more than 500 signatures. Aldi reps have said that in order for a store to go in there, the area must meet certain traffic quota.
Aldi already owns a store in the county, in Geneseo. But with that store nearly 30 minutes away, supporters hope their calls for help will be answered.
“Hopefully Aldi will hear our cries and fulfill the need that we have available and ready for them,” said Moodie.
In the meantime, petitioners like Moodie plan to continue their lobbying efforts.