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A customer browses through the empty shelves at the Wayne IGA Thursday, in Fort Recovery.
FORT RECOVERY - Plagued by ongoing legal issues, Fort Recovery's only grocery store is set to close today.
Wayne IGA announced Wednesday on Facebook that it was in its final three days, citing "too many challenges behind the scenes."
"It is with a very heavy heart that I announce this will be our final week in business," the post reads. "After working at IGA for over a decade, this was not a decision I made lightly. This store has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all to keep the doors open for as long as possible. Unfortunately, due to too many challenges behind the scenes, it has become impossible to continue."
Wayne IGA, located at 110 East Boundary in Fort Recovery, is set to close today. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with Lent specials from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Adrianna Stein, 24, of Portland, Indiana, purchased the business from Dave and Jill Evers in 2022. Prior to that, Chad and Anne Guggenbiller sold the grocery business to Evers in 2016 while retaining ownership of the building and leasing it.
The Evers announced the sale of the store to Stein in a Facebook post in October 2022, after six years, citing the family's recent adoption of three children. Stein was the store's meat cutter.
Adrianna Stein is joined by her staff in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in February 2023 after she purchased Wayne IGA.
Via Fort Recovery Chamber Facebook
When asked what prompted the decision to close, Stein referenced an ongoing civil lawsuit against her, which she said was born out of underlying issues with previous management.
"I don't know how much I can actually say, but we did not quite have a smooth transition with the previous owners," she said Thursday. "We are actually still in litigation for many issues. I think there was a lot of misconceptions about how well the business was doing prior to me taking over and there was a lot of theft afterwards. Mainly, the biggest lawsuit (claim) is about the theft, stolen funds from the business."
Dave Evers filed suit in Mercer County Common Pleas Court against Stein and previous grocery owners Chad and Ann Guggenbiller in April 2023, alleging unjust enrichment and breach of contract on Stein's part; and intentional interference with a business relationship on the part of Chad Guggenbiller, along with breach of contract on the part of both Guggenbillers.
In a judgment summary issued in December of 2025, Judge Matthew Fox dismissed all claims against the Guggenbillers, citing "no genuine issues of material fact."
The case remains pending, however, on Evers' claims against Stein. An attorney conference is scheduled for April 14.
"He sues me, the Guggenbillers and First Financial for conspiring, is what he said, on the purchase price of the business; however, the business was appraised by an outside company that had nothing to do with any of us, and I paid the exact purchase price that it was appraised for," Stein said.
She filed a counter claim against Evers in 2023 claiming he allegedly stole credit card sales after she took ownership, according to court documents. In the filing she asked for a sum in excess of $25,000, punitive damages, attorneys fees and court costs.
She said that she thinks that claim will go to trial.
Wayne IGA customers are able to buy any food that's left at 40-70% off cash only. The store is set to close today.
The Facebook post announcing the closure also thanks the community and the employees.
"I want to sincerely thank our community for supporting me and choosing to shop local over the past three years," the post reads. "I will truly miss seeing so many of our loyal customers each day. To my employees - you have stood by through the good, the bad, and the difficult times. I am incredibly grateful for each of you and appreciate you more than words can express."
Stein had 15 employees.
She said she is unsure what will happen to the building.
"Unfortunately, the building is really falling apart too, so if another store does decide to come in, they would have to put in a lot of money just to get it up and going."
"I will not be in the grocery business and I am not … able to sell the business due to it not being profitable enough since I bought it and way before then," she continued. "Unfortunately, we have to close instead of selling, but no, I will not be staying in grocery."
The Guggenbillers bought the store in 2008 from John Sutter, changing its name from Ole Fort IGA to Wayne IGA.
The store is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today.
Wayne IGA customers are able to buy any food that's left at 40-70% off cash only. The store is set to close today.
Wayne IGA customers are able to buy any food that's left at 40-70% off cash only. The store is set to close today.
Wayne IGA customers are able to buy any food that's left at 40-70% off cash only. The store is set to close today.
