CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK)– The well-known neighborhood GoMart on West Washington Street in Charleston, West Virginia is permanently closed as of Friday.
According to Terry Smith, Assistant General Manager of GoMart’s Corporate Office says, “it was a business decision.”
The closure was a surprise to residents who live in the nearby neighborhood. Those who spoke with 13 News said everything was removed from the store and gas pumps on Thursday. After that the building was boarded up and the property gated off.
“I was a little surprised. I just came home from work and I saw everything, all the tractors, everyone was over there. They were just taking everything, closing it down,” said Janet Rice. “They put the fence up, and I was like ‘What in the world is going on?’ It was such a convenience for people.”
In the past few years, there have been at least two shootings at the GoMart. In December 2021, someone was inquired in a shooting, and in October 2018, a man was fatally shot outside the store.
Some residents, however, are still disappointed that it closed. Those that spoke with 13 News said it’s one of the few places to shop on the West Side.
“You know, you have a lot of senior citizens that walk from over there on Central Avenue and all on the West Side over to the store every day, twenty-four seven, around the clock,” Rice said. “I would love to see a grocery store or the same store, maybe somebody just come in and invest in our community.”
Smith said that no purchase of the property has been made at this time.