A fire that heavily damaged Spencer’s only grocery store has left residents facing a trip of about 15 miles to reach another supermarket.
The fire struck the Shur Fine market on Main Street Friday. The Tioga County Fire Investigation Team is continuing its work, and officials had not announced a cause as of Tuesday evening.
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is coordinating with community partners to address the immediate loss of local food access. Those partners include the community food cupboard and the Spencer-Van Etten school food center. Additional food distributions or other assistance may be announced as organizers assess local needs.
The store’s closure creates a particular transportation concern for residents who do not have reliable access to a vehicle. The nearest full supermarket is roughly 15 miles away, turning routine grocery trips into a longer regional trip while the Spencer store remains unavailable.
Residents seeking assistance should watch for announcements from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and local community organizations. Fire investigators are also expected to release more information if the cause is determined.
The market’s long-term status has not been announced. The current response is focused on keeping food available to families affected by the sudden closure.
