By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

A longtime Pelham business mainstay is closing its doors after nearly 35 years in business.

The Food World grocery store at 518 Pelham Parkway will close on or before Nov. 6, according to a representative with Birmingham-based Southern Family Markets, which purchased the Pelham Food World in 2009.

The Pelham store closure will come at the same time as the closure of the Trussville Food World.

“We purchased these two locations out of bankruptcy a little over a year ago,” said Julie Mann, public relations coordinator with Southern Family Markets. “Since that time, we have spent an immense amount of human and financial capital on these two stores in an attempt to make them successful.”

Mann called the decision to close the stores “difficult,” and said the economic downturn played a large role in the decision.

“Because of the effects of the current challenging economic environment, it has become necessary to close these stores and liquidate the inventory at these locations,” Mann said. “We do want to thank our customers for their loyalty. We also sincerely thank all our associates for their dedication and hard work since we have owned and operated these stores.”