Serving the High Plains

Kodiak Fresh Produce ceases operations in Tucumcari

link The gates are padlocked and the doors are shut at

the warehouse that once housed the Kodiak Fresh

Produce in Tucumcari.

Thomas Garcia

QCS Senior Writer

The Kodiak Fresh Produce outlet in Tucumcari closed its doors on May 12 leaving the city with another vacant building and the loss of 25 jobs.

“As of today, Kodiak’s doors are closed but the company is working with the city manager to open a farmers market in the next week or so,” said Greg Bennett, Kodiak transportation manager.

Bennett said the company received an overwhelming outpouring of support on Facebook from the community residents asking the company not to leave.

The site will not be reopening completely, as it is not economically sound for the company, said Blair Hillman, owner of Kodiak Fresh Produce.

Hillman said he has talked to Tucumcari City Manager Jared Langenegger about holding farmers markets at the warehouse. He said those talks have not included the possibility of re-opening the business.

Kodiak Fresh Produce opened in 2013 and offered Quay County residents a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits brought in by long-haul trucks and stocked by local employees.

Bennett said the company employed 25 full- and part-time employees.

Langenegger said he is talking to Hillman and the Tucumcari Greater Economic Development Corporation about the possibility of saving some of the jobs at the site.

“We are trying to find some kind of arrangement that allows us to keep some jobs here in Tucumcari,” Langenegger said.