COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia Housing Authority Development will be closing their Save A Lot grocery store on August 24, 2019.
The low-priced grocery sits in the heart of the Celia Saxon neighborhood, and services many families in the N. Main St. area.
The decision comes after Honor Capital, LLC closed 10 of their stores, that they operate and manage. CHAD kept the store open, but depleted their non-federal reserve funds that were keeping the store afloat.
"I just think it's unfortunate for some of these people because the nearest store is Food Lion," says Tonia Brown, a frequent customer.
Food Lion sits a little over a mile away from the Save A Lot. While some might think that's not too far, Carrie draper, Food Policy Committee Vice-Chair, says it can be challenging for many people.
"I would really encourage people to put themselves in someone else's shoes," says Draper, also research associate for the Arnold School of Public Health at USC. "You're talking about 90 degree weather in part of the year. Outside of that, people having children that they have in strollers, maybe older adults who can't get around as well, people with disabilities."
Draper says unfortunately store closings aren't new in the Columbia area. Last year, three other grocery stores closed on Broad River, Decker Blvd and N. Main St.
Many residents in the N. Main area also relied on the Harden St. Save A Lot. Now, the area is considered a low food access area.
"Within a half a mile you don't have access to a full scale grocery store, the neighborhood has over a 30 percent of people living in poverty and over 30 percent of people don't have accessible transportation."
The Columbia Housing Authority does provide rides to grocery stores:
Residents can call (803)254-3886 ext. 362 no later than 2 pm, one day before they want to shop. They must leave your name and address.
They cater to all high-rises on Mondays & Wednesdays, from 10am-1:00pm and all other communities on Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 10:00 am -1:00 pm
The COMET is giving $5 vouchers through Uber and Lyft.
Draper says she hopes to find a better solution with the CHA and the City of Columbia.
"We really think that it is a right that everybody in the city have access to healthy affordable foods," says Draper.