I live in Oregon and my neighborhood grocery store is closing. I mentioned to one of the (soon to be unemployed) clerks that 'oh, maybe another grocery will move in here' but she said it was not allowed right away by law. I thought that was very strange. People need to eat, after all.

I am interested to know which statutes forbid reoccupation of vacated grocery premises by a new grocery, or if you cannot tell me that, what would be the legal rationale for such a law.

@ rachell - Could you expound on "non-competition clause within the title"? I don't know what that means, thanks.