Whole Foods closing: Englewood residents feel betrayed that Amazon-owned grocery store is closing on Chicago’s South Side
Consumers of the Total Food items Market place in Englewood explained they had been thrilled when the store opened in what was considered a “meals desert” on Chicago’s South Facet.
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They felt the grocery shop built a promise to present clean generate and healthy food stuff. Now, they really feel the announced closing is like a slap in the experience.
“For the keep, it’s a devastating blow to our group,” resident Jon Moton stated.
A spokesperson for the organic and natural grocer verified the shuttering of the South Aspect site together with its DePaul College store, creating: “We have built the tough final decision to shut six retailers. We are supporting impacted Team Customers as a result of this transition and expect that all intrigued, suitable Staff Customers will come across positions at our other spots.”
The two nearby closures are among six stores remaining shut out of the extra than 530 places of the nationwide grocery chain owned by Amazon.
1st opened in 2016, the 63rd Street grocery retail outlet was opened in what was when a food desert, promising to carry much healthier foodstuff alternatives to the area. At the time, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the metropolis committed above $10 million in tax breaks to assist make the retail outlet a reality. The keep employed close to 100 persons.
Asiaha Butler, CEO of the Resident Association of Better Englewood, mentioned she apprehensive the keep would close.
“We realized this was not a retail store that was meant to gain a lot of financial gain,” Butler reported. “We are in a food stuff apartheid here and this was a corporate obligation selection that was completed.”
Inhabitants explained they were being particularly angered by the news as it arrived two days soon after Entire Food items opened a big new retailer downtown at Chicago and State.
A spokesperson for Leon Walker, managing associate of DL3 Realty, the builder responsible for acquiring Englewood Square, reported in a assertion that Walker is assured yet another grocer will get in excess of the room: “There is way too a great deal expense and so a great deal momentum…. The fundamental company situation is still stable.”
Dion Dawson, who established Dion’s Chicago Dream, a not-for-financial gain addressing food stuff insecurity in the neighborhood reported it could open up the doorway for new chances.
“We have a shipping method aspiration deliveries the place we are delivering 11,000 kilos in additional than 19 Chicago spots due to the fact we won’t be able to keep on to be reactive to a firm closing store and moving,” Dawson mentioned.
When the Total Meals may possibly not close for many additional months, the DePaul retailer may close as shortly as future week.
Statement FROM MAYOR LORI E. LIGHTFOOT ON Total Foodstuff Shop CLOSINGS
“Amazon’s selection to shut retailers in Englewood and Lincoln Park as element of a nationwide closure of shops is clearly disappointing. My quick fear is for the employees in both of those spots. Amazon should now just take clear steps to protect people workers as they changeover to new options. Possessing been in both of those suppliers many instances above the yrs, I saw first-hand how individuals employees gave their heart and soul to make the retailers a accomplishment. Alongside one another with each communities and local elected leaders, my administration will do the job to repurpose these places in a way that carries on to serve the neighborhood and help the bordering organizations. We as a city will go on to function really hard to shut food stuff deserts that fulfill group requires with local community at the desk.”
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