Planned Save A Lot closure leaves Morgan Park residents concerned about grocery access

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Residents in the Morgan Park neighborhood say they are losing one of their last nearby options for groceries as a Save A Lot store prepares to permanently close.

The Save A Lot at 107th Street and Halsted Avenue is among seven Chicago locations slated to close. On Friday, its final day of operation, the parking lot was largely empty as some of the last customers entered a store with nearly bare shelves.

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Community members expressed frustration over the loss of another neighborhood resource.

"I think it's pretty sad you know they keep taking resources from us and we don't really have that much and just to see the store gone, it leaves no hope for the community," said Morgan Park resident Dejuan Taylor.

Another resident, Dalyn Sykes, said the closure adds to a growing list of lost grocery options in the area.

"They're closing everything down. They already closed down the Aldi and it was a jewel right here on 115th now we have to go 119th, so I just feel like we need to bring stores back to our community," Sykes said.

Save A Lot had partnered with retail company Yellow Banana in 2023 in an effort to keep stores open in Chicago, but the company said that partnership is now ending.

In a statement addressing the closures, a Save A Lot spokesperson cited financial struggles and SNAP cuts and said, in part: "We are committed to the wellbeing of the communities we serve. We will continue to engage with City and Community leaders to explore ways to provide access to quality food and services for residents, and we are actively supporting impacted Yellow Banana team members throughout the transition."

An employee at the Morgan Park store said potential job transitions within the company are not feasible for them and other workers, meaning many employees may be left without jobs.

Residents, particularly seniors, said the closures will make it more difficult to access groceries. Some expressed concern that there are few convenient alternatives remaining nearby.

"I think it's horrible where are we gonna shop at? You got people that don't drive and what not this is convenient for us. Why are you closing?" said Nadine, a Morgan Park resident.

The company had said it was exploring all possible options to remain open with a July 25 deadline. However, as the store prepared to close, it appears no alternatives remain, and the Morgan Park location is not expected to reopen the following day.