'They never said they were going to close. They just said 'if we can get packaged goods and liquors, it will help us with sales.' I was like 'If it's going to help with your sales, I'll approve it. I'll sign off on it and I'll stand with you.' That's what I did, but they didn't stand with us.'
Frustrated people in one South Side neighborhood are starved for answers as to why they weren't told their local grocery store would shut down?Shirley Bryant and Juanita Love have lived in Auburn Gresham for decades. They're very involved, but said this caught them by surprise.The one sign that remains on this Aldi at Ashland & 76th street says"Permanently Closed" and the nearest Aldi is about three miles away.
The store has served this community for 13 years. Neighbors said not one day of notice came when it closed June 12.ALDI told CBS 2 and said it closed the store for several reasons including"repeated burglaries and declining sales" but was there any notice and could the closure have been prevented? But we're asking was there any notice? Could it have been prevented?"What's happening now is that you just show up and this is what you have.
Back in Auburn Gresham. local leaders said the disinvestment is a pattern. After recently losing another grocery store, pharmacy and bank, they're now looking for change.