Many shoppers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are worried they might go hungry following the sudden closure of a major grocery store chain, Food City. This store was a key place for residents to buy food, and now its closure has left them with few options.
This comes after the community lost their local Walgreens earlier in the year. Residents are expressing their concerns as they face having even fewer places to shop for their daily needs.
New Store Location Challenges for Many
According to The U.S. Sun, the grocery store, a staple in the community for decades, officially closed its doors on Monday evening. Store closures can be inconvenient for many, and some feel completely stranded without local shopping options.
There's some good news, though a new Food City store is set to open in downtown Chattanooga on June 12. However, for those who frequented the now-closed store, the new location is a 10-minute drive away, which may still pose a challenge for regular customers.
The relocation of a long-standing local grocery store is causing significant hardship, particularly for residents without cars, with disabilities, or economic difficulties, as Local 3 News reported.
Jesse Mills, a disabled veteran and long-time customer, voiced concerns about the accessibility challenges posed by the store's move. Social media debates reflect community unrest, with many highlighting the difficulties of a 2-mile journey for vulnerable groups and the potential impact on their food access.
In contrast, some believe the new location is not a major issue, sparking discussions on empathy and understanding.
Jeannine Carpenter from the Chattanooga Food Bank highlighted that the original store was crucial for a low-income area reliant on public transport. The relocation could mean higher transport costs, reduced food funds, and increased dependency on food banks.
Carpenter stressed that such changes worsen barriers for those in need, highlighting the growing demand for assistance.
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A new Food City store, spanning 53,300 square feet, is set to open tomorrow in South Chattanooga. This store will feature a Starbucks and a pharmacy and boasts one of the largest seating areas among the chain's locations.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly expressed his support for the new store, describing it as a major advancement in the revitalization of South Chattanooga.
Walgreens Closes Store in South Chattanooga
Following the opening announcement of a new Food City store in South Chattanooga, the area has experienced a setback as Walgreens closed its drugstore at 2104 McCallie Avenue in February 2024.
According to Times Free Press, this closure followed the store's 15-year operation at a key location near Chattanooga's major hospitals. Despite this store shutting down, Walgreens still operates nine other locations in Hamilton County.
The store opened as a Rite Aid in 2009 and later rebranded as Walgreens in 2017 as part of a strategic adjustment to meet changing market dynamics and customer behaviors. Walgreens assured us that the decision was made based on various factors, including the density of existing stores.
For customers of the closed McCallie Avenue store, Walgreens has transferred all prescriptions to the nearby location at 3605 Brainerd Road, ensuring continued medication access with minimal disruption.
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