BUFFALO, N.Y. — Another Eastside grocery store is closing it's doors for good.
The Save-a-lot inside the Broadway Market is shutting its doors fairly soon. Handwritten closing signs can be seen all around the store. Some read "Store closing" and "Save-A-Lot 20% off."
This leaves Buffalo's Eastside with only two major grocery giants nearby. Those stores are Aldi, across the street from the Broadway Market, and Tops on Jefferson Ave.
However, city officials and the market manager say they were initially unaware of the store closing.
Save-A-Lot resides in Buffalo's Fillmore District.
2 On Your Side asked Councilman Mitch Nowakowski for answers.
"I was not told anything officially from the city," Nowakowski says. "The market manager figured out that he wanted to close by handwritten signs on the front of the door."
According to employees, shoplifting killed the store. They also say prices are rising, which hardly makes shoppers come in anymore.
Nowakowski is unaware if the store will actually close but says he will work tirelessly to get another grocery store in the area, if and when Save-A-Lot closes.
"There are no instances of rampant looting. It's been blamed on the workers and the rising cost of wages and it seems to be avoiding the real problem that exists with the operator."
Many residents are upset about the news. Granted, shoppers primarily seen at the store live in the surrounding area but assures the store gets a lot of customers.
"This is crazy! I can't believe they're closing! What are we going to do?" says Loretta Anderson. "They just closed the Family Dollar up. I'm like, what will we have on this side?"
Anderson says she's in disbelief. She says she's been shopping here for years!
"I come up here two, three, four times a week. It's economically feasible for everybody's pockets."
Plus, she has to walk here. So, when shopping for what's left at the store, she depends on her two legs and stroller.
"I like to create. Whatever I see on TikTok, I'm like 'Oh. I only need this. It's not that expensive. Let me see if Save-A-Lot got it.'"
On the other hand, store employees are finding new jobs. Meat Manager Kenneth Oquendo, who's been here for six years says their feelings are hurting.
"The people deserve better around here," Oquendo says. "I already have a couple of Save-A-Lots calling me out to come and work for them."
He's known about the store closing for about six months but hoped they were rumors. He says he will miss the customers and the connections he built with them.
"The people were beautiful here," says Oquendo.
2 On Your Side reached out to the Broadway Market and the store's owner, Ron Horrigan. There were no responses.
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