Seven Save A Lot Stores in Chicago Abruptly Closed This Weekend
A grocery store chain abruptly closed several Chicago locations on the city's West and South sides, where access to fresh food is already stressed for thousands of residents.
Save A Lot is a fairly common chain of small, low-budget grocery stores in Illinois, which stocks canned goods and non-perishables, as well as meat, produce, fruit, and more. Save A Lot stores in the Chicago metro area were partnered with a company named Yellow Banana up until very recently. WGN tried but failed to get a comment from the company in lieu of these closures.
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Inside the Closure of Save A Lot Stores in Chicago:
Per WGN, these closures come about four years after the City of Chicago announced it would give $13.5 million in taxpayer financing to Yellow Banana as part of a $26 million deal to buy/renovate six locations on the West and South sides of the city. As part of the agreement, Yellow Banana agreed to keep the stores open for 10 years; these closures fell well-short of that agreement.
The following Chicago Save A Lot stores were closed:
- 832 W. 63rd St.
- 7904 S. Halsted Ave.
- 10700 S. Halsted St.
- 7240 S. Stony Island Ave.
- 2858 E. 83rd St.
- 420 S. Pulaski Rd.
- 4439 W. 63rd St
The Illinois Grocery Initiative Was Created to Help Prevent This Problem:
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson cited the effects of federal funding cuts and changes to programs like SNAP benefits as a reason that these Save A Lot stores were closed. At a WNBA event on Saturday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said his administration has done a great deal to keep grocery stores open in Chicago's most stressed areas:
I put an initiative in several years ago called the Illinois Grocery Initiative, and what it does is literally help people start grocery stores - Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, per WGN
That initiative sought to address inadequate access to fresh foods in areas labeled as "food deserts." A food desert is defined as meeting specific criteria related to poverty and access to fresh foods. These areas can exist in both urban and rural areas. Applicants in areas such as Chicago, Carlinville, Peoria, and Rockford were among the first wave of recipients of funding grants back in 2024, per the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website.
Save A Lot's Statement on the Closures:
Save A Lot released a statement weeks back, ending their arrangement with their retail partner Yellow Banana.
Since 2023, Save A Lot has worked alongside its Retail Partner, Yellow Banana, to ensure uninterrupted operations of seven store locations in Chicago. When these stores encountered significant financial headwinds under Yellow Banana’s ownership, Save A Lot took on additional operational responsibilities to keep these stores open and maintain continued service to customers.
Unfortunately, these stores have continued to face significant challenges, including dramatic cuts to SNAP benefits which have severely impacted these stores. Compared to last year, the stores have experienced a 26% decline in SNAP/EBT tender types. As a result of this and other financial headwinds, Save A Lot made the difficult decision to end our arrangement with Yellow Banana. Yellow Banana is exploring alternatives in order to keep the stores open. If they are unable to find an alternative, the stores will cease operations, effective July 25th - Save A Lot's statement, per WGN
Find out more about the abrupt closures of several Save A Lot stores in Chicago on WGN's website.
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