The recent closure of seven Save A Lot grocery stores across Chicago’s South and West sides has underscored the ongoing challenges of providing affordable food access in historically underserved neighborhoods. Operating under the Ohio-based company Yellow Banana, these outlets shuttered within months following the unexpected death of CEO Joseph Canfield in April. Canfield’s passing left the company without leadership, precipitating the shutdown of stores located in South Shore, West Lawn, Englewood, West Garfield Park, West Pullman, Auburn Gresham, and South Chicago.
These stores had opened within the past two years as part of a $26 million financing package that included a $13.5 million grant from the city, supplemented by federal funds, loans, and private investments. While carrying the Save A Lot brand, the venture largely depended on Yellow Banana’s operational and financial stability, which appeared fragile from the outset. Prior to the City Council’s approval of city funding in November 2022, Canfield faced legal disputes, including allegations from stepsiblings accusing him of misappropriating funds to finance the grocery investment.
Additional legal and operational challenges emerged during the stores’ brief tenure. Reports indicated delays in openings beyond city-agreed timelines and vendor complaints over unpaid bills, further highlighting the company’s tenuous footing. These developments have prompted criticism from some political quarters, where concerns have been raised regarding the prudence of public investment in retail projects within economically difficult environments.
Despite these setbacks, advocates emphasize the importance of maintaining grocery access in neighborhoods affected by food insecurity. Englewood, for example, now has only one remaining grocery option after the Save A Lot closure. This area previously lost a city-subsidized Whole Foods store in 2022, one that had itself replaced a prior grocery outlet and benefited from $10.6 million in tax increment financing. When combined with the recent $13.5 million city grant for Yellow Banana’s stores, total public investment in these locations approaches $23 million.
City officials and community leaders now face the task of attracting new grocery operators to fill these vacant spaces. Given the significant public funds used to upgrade the facilities, finding replacements could mitigate the financial losses and continue addressing food access challenges. Suggestions have included engaging established retailers like Albertsons, owner of Jewel-Osco, which successfully opened a store in the South Side’s Woodlawn neighborhood in 2019 with the support of $11.5 million in federal tax credits. Aldi, currently present in some neighborhoods, has also been floated as a potential partner.
Stakeholders call on the local business community to take an active role in recruiting new store operators and urge city agencies to facilitate this process by expediting permitting and approvals where possible. While public investment has been significant, proponents argue it is now time for private sector involvement to sustain and expand grocery options in these underserved parts of Chicago.