Chicago officials working to ensure grocery store access as 7 Save A Lot stores face closure

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Residents and community leaders continue to express concern over the potential closure of several Save A Lot stores in Chicago, including locations in West Garfield Park and Englewood, citing the impact the stores have on access to groceries and healthy food options.

At the Save A Lot at Pulaski Road and Congress Parkway, which carries signage as Hometown Grocer and is expected to close this weekend, there was little customer traffic Thursday.

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George Miles, a resident, said he suspected problems at the store when he noticed empty refrigerated cases.

"I knew something was wrong when I went in there and all the coolers was empty. I'm like, 'Come on, you guys had opened just the other day. The coolers was full and not empty,'" Miles said.

Tyrus Stewart, another resident, said the closure would be especially difficult for older residents and employees.

"I think it's terrible and horrible, and it's real bad for the senior citizens. They come here in the grocery, the grocery store and everything, 'cause I come to this grocery store all the time. And not only that, what about the people that work here?" Stewart said.

Concerns about grocery access have also surfaced in Englewood. During a community meeting Tuesday night, residents voiced worries about closing the Save A Lot store on 63rd Street.

Asiaha Butler, founder and CEO of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood, said the community needs more grocery options, especially as prices increase.

"We need to have several options. This is a big community. We still have over 50,000 residents. We need on every corridor, on every corner, a healthy food option," Butler said.

In a statement, a Save A Lot spokesperson said dramatic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have affected revenue and that the company is working with Yellow Banana to keep seven Chicago stores open.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city is working with stakeholders to maintain grocery access in affected neighborhoods.

"You know, look, we're going to work with with all parties involved to make sure that there's you know access to to groceries. Obviously, our investments that we put forward to create these spaces in the first place speaks to my commitment to expanding access to fresh food," Johnson said.

Alderman Jason Ervin of the 28th Ward said he has been in discussions with city and state officials, as well as potential operators, in an effort to keep the West Garfield Park grocery store open.

"Just found out about this within the last week, week and a half, and been working not only with, uh, the city but also at the state level trying to find resources to help keep these stores open because they're so desperately needed in our community," Ervin said.