The fate of rural America’s food supply: historic Iowa grocery store closing after more than 150 years

The grocery market in the United States is consolidated, meaning that a small number of major companies control a large portion of sales. Analysis from The Guardian found that around 61 percent of all grocery sales were controlled by a handful of major corporations, including Walmart, Safeway, and Kroger. These vast national and regional chains make it hard for smaller businesses to compete.

The last supermarket in this Iowa town will close in May

The community of Oxford Junction, Iowa, is feeling the effects of consolidation. The town is home to around 425 people, who will now need to travel outside city limits to shop for groceries, as the Coon’s Corner Company was the last grocery store operating. In a Facebook post, the company explained that it would be closing its doors for good on May 31, 2025, after more than 152 years in the business.

“The Coon family, after years of dedication, have decided to retire, marking a bittersweet moment for the community as they prepare to say goodbye to the store,” reads the post, which also detailed the long history of the company. Many shoppers commented on the post, expressing their sadness that the store would be closing, and that the presence in the community will be missed.

One of the consequences of consolidation is that major companies can close locations that aren’t performing well. If there are a number of supermarkets, this might not be a problem, but in small towns, it can be the difference between having a place to purchase food, especially fruits, vegetables, and meat, and not. The closure of grocery stores means people will have to travel further to purchase food, and this can create particular groups like seniors.

In 2023, NPR reported on the issue, citing research from the USDA, that a decade ago, more than 70 counties had no grocery store located within the boundary.

Where Oxford Junction residents will have to shop

When examining the supermarket map in the area, the residents of Oxford Junction may need to travel half an hour to a grocery store. Down the road in Maquoketa, around 22 miles east of the town, shoppers will find a Fareway Meat and Grocery and a Walmart. Traveling north around 10 miles, a Dollar General can be found in Wyoming, Iowa.

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