The Andersons Inc., which announced on Sunday that it will close its two Toledo area and two Columbus general stores in the spring, says its initial layoffs will begin March 18.

The company's closings will affect 1,050 workers in its retail division. In a required filings with the state about the layoffs, The Andersons said this week that 42 workers at its Maumee distribution center supplying the stores will be laid off between March 18 and April 1.

The timing of the rest of the layoffs, it said, will be announced later, though the stores are to be closed by June 30.

The Monclova Township agribusiness, which also operates grain, railcar, ethanol, and plant nutrients units, stunned the Toledo area with the store closing decision. The general stores, which sell a wide variety of items from groceries to snowblowers to furniture, have been the face of the company in the local community since 1952.

First Published January 19, 2017, 12:38 p.m.