'It's just slow' - Economy blamed for Bob Evans' closing

Bob Evans Farms, a Galva business since 1974, closed its doors on Monday, Aug. 9, putting 66 area people out of work.

The closing, first reported late last week to likely occur, was officially announced to Bob Evans employees at a 10 a.m. Monday meeting. Production had ceased Friday.

“I’m very upset about it,” Mayor Tom Hartman said Monday. “Nobody wants to lose a business, but we don’t own it and we can’t control it.”

Signs of the plant’s struggles surfaced over the past several months, with workers’ hours being cut and unpaid time off being given. City officials were aware of the situation and had tried to work with the company, they said, but to no avail.