Lira's closing Oct. 2

A lack of business and a location away from heavily traveled routes are factors in the decision to close Lira's Supermarket in Minden on Oct. 2.

"It's a combination of things finally coming to a head," Mike Lira said Tuesday. "We couldn't survive with the number of customers who come in and patronize us daily, and it's not a real premier location. It's tough to see the store when it's facing toward the homes."

Lira said the small chain has never laid off anyone in the 19 years it's been in business.

"There's nothing good about it," Lira said about the prospect of letting 12 full-time and four part-time workers go. "We've never had to lay off people ever in our company. Our main concentration is those folks."

The Lira family, which also owns stores in Rio Vista, Calif., and South Lake Tahoe, purchased the market in May 2008.

Lira praised the store's employees and customers.

"It's a great staff, this community is great, the people are all personable, it's a beautiful store, the location was hurting us a little bit and it all came to a head."

Lira said the store will remain open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the final day.

"All of the products and services we have been proud to offer the members of the community since the store was acquired in 2008 will remain available," he said. "The Lira organization would like to thank the community of Minden for the support over the past 21⁄2 years and wish all of our valued customers the best in the future."

Built during the Minden construction boom, the supermarket is at the intersection of Lucerne Street and Ironwood Drive, at the rear of Minden Village pointing away from Highway 395, making it difficult to find.

The 20,000-square-foot structure was opened as Sierra Nevada Trading Co. to fanfare in February 2006. It was the first full-service grocery store in Minden in 41 years.

The Liras were previously partners in the store's predecessor.

But housing developments approved around the store have yet to come to fruition, leaving the store dependent on customers from outside of town.