Marsh Supermarkets Inc. will close a store in Marion and another in Columbus rather than renew their leases, the locally based grocery chain said Thursday.

The closings will take place within three weeks, the company said.

In Columbus, the closing at 2710 State St. will leave the city with just one Marsh location. Marion also will be left with one Marsh store after it loses the location at 4512 S. Adams St.

“While the decision to close stores is never easy, the management team is committed to improving operating results and strengthening the company’s position in our marketing areas,” Marsh said in a prepared statement.

Marsh said as many employees as possible would be given the chance to transfer to another location or be given a severance package.

The decision follows four closings last year and three in 2011.

After the closings in Marion and Columbus, Marsh will have 91 stores in Indiana and Ohio. About half are in the Indianapolis area.

Also on Thursday, Marsh announced that it has hired Michele Pascoe as chief financial officer. She has more than 15 years of experience in the retail sector and most recently was CFO at Bensalem, Pa.-based Charming Shoppes Inc.'s Fashion Bug division.

Marsh is owned by Florida-based Sun Capital Partners.