Pick 'n Save stores closing in Milwaukee, emergency town hall held

MILWAUKEE - People on Milwaukee's north side held an emergency town hall on Monday, July 7, after Kroger announced several Pick 'n Save grocery stores in metro-Milwaukee are closing.

The meeting was held at Metcalfe Park Community Bridges.

What we know:

Two weeks ago, it was announced five Pick 'n Save stores across southeastern Wisconsin would close, including in Glendale, South Milwaukee, Oak Creek and two in Milwaukee.

The focus at Monday's meeting: the location at 35th and Meinecke.

Meeting organizers said it wasn't until they saw a post on Facebook that they found out their neighborhood Pick 'n Save is closing July 18. They say the community needs more time to adjust.

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What they're saying:

"I thought it was convenient. That’s why I moved over here, close by it. Now they’re taking it away," said resident Shirley Dunn. "I’ve been here for eight years. That’s the only store I know."

Melody McCurtis is the deputy director for Metcalfe Park. She said the closest grocer is at least three miles away.

"We don't have a lot of grocery stores in black and brown neighborhoods. Metcalfe Park is in the center of Milwaukee that connects to various neighborhoods," McCurtis said. "So folks can’t walk to another grocery store. They’re going to have to take a bus. They’re going to have to get an uber, get a ride to the grocery store if they don’t have a car."

Alderman Russell Stamper, who represents the district, said he is going to look at funds for a grocery store during the city's budget cycle.

Local and state officials at the meeting said they reached out to Pick 'n Save personally, and in an emailed reply, Pick 'n Save suggested people impacted try free prescription delivery for the remainder of the year. The company also suggested grocery delivery, offering a free 30-day trial.

The people at the meeting said that doesn't solve the problem.

"Please don’t close it, ya’ll," Dunn said. "We need Pick 'n Save!"

"Folks are talking about starting co-op grocery stores because we don’t need one grocery store, we need multiple so we can have healthy, safe, thriving communities," McCurtis said.

The backstory:

The five Pick 'n Save locations closing include: 

• 1735 W. Silver Spring Drive, Glendale
• 3701 S. 27th Street, Milwaukee
• 2355 N. 35th Street, Milwaukee
• 2931 S. Chicago Avenue, South Milwaukee
• 2320 W. Ryan Road, Oak Creek

A Pick 'n Save spokesperson noted the closures are part of a "larger company-wide decision to run more efficiently and ensure long-term health of our business."

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What's next:

During the town hall, community members agreed to organize a march and rally outside the store, set for July 18.

MilwaukeeFoodNews