‘I can’t afford to stop coming,’ Shoppers concerned as Sun Fresh shelves sit empty
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Empty shelves for days have many families concerned who shop at Sun Fresh off of Prospect Avenue.
Shoppers tell KCTV5 the store hasn’t been restocked, leaving very limited items.
“I was going to buy some food, and I couldn’t find none of the stuff that I needed because they didn’t have any food available,” said Latrice Jones.
Many shoppers said this is one of the only affordable grocery stores in the area.
“It’s terrible,” said shopper Allen Canady. “I don’t have a car, and the bus route stops right here in front of the store, which makes it easy to get what I need.”
A lot of shoppers said they’re fearful the store will close. Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, who represents the area, told KCTV5 that the store isn’t closing, but said that because of the crime, fewer people are coming to the store.
“Right now, because of a lot of the elements of safety, our residents and neighbors don’t feel comfortable shopping in the store,” Robinson said. “It’s causing revenue to go down. The land is owned by the city, they are leasing that space and there is a responsibility that if we want to keep the store open, it will require some city subsidy and investment.”
On Thursday, Robinson said she plans to propose about $750,000 to go to the store to help restock.
“I have been very clear that if we want that store to be viable, there’s going to have to be a subsidy year after year,” Robinson said.
In a statement, the owner of Sun Fresh told KCTV5, “KC Sun Fresh is doing our level best to serve our community in this food desert given the contract and funding received to date.” City officials and the Kansas City Police Department have worked extensively to help improve the area and make sure everyone is safe.
KCTV5 has reported on many destructive and violent instances that have happened inside the store.
Meanwhile, shoppers hope something is done so they can come home with more affordable groceries.
“People stopped coming, but I can’t afford to stop coming,” Canady said.
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