WCPO 9's Alex Null covers the east side. If you have a story that you'd like Alex to look into or a news tip, email him at alex@wcpo.com
CINCINNATI — After concerns that Roselawn may soon turn into a food desert, Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney announced plans to keep the neighborhood's Save-A-Lot open after its owner retires.
Earlier this month, we spoke with residents and employees who were concerned about what would happen if the local Save-A-Lot closed when its owner retired.
The neighborhood used to have a Kroger at Hillcrest Square. When that store closed in 2010, neighbors went 14 months without a viable grocery option — until David Pearson and his family opened Save-A-Lot.
But when Pearson decided he wanted to retire, there was no one to purchase the store from his family, leaving its future up in the air. Residents we spoke to pointed out that many elderly neighbors wouldn't have transportation to get to another store, and most other places do not offer the affordable, healthy foods Save-A-Lot does.
Kearney said Pearson reached out to her to ensure Save-A-Lot would remain in Roselawn, working on a transition plan with the city and Save-A-Lot's corporate development group.
We sat down with Kearney on Tuesday to learn more about the store's future.
"That transition is going to happen and all will be well," Kearney said.
WATCH: Kearney says Roselawn's Save-A-Lot won't be closing anytime soon
She said the specifics of that plan aren't yet being shared, but she said she expects the details to be finalized in the coming weeks.
“We’re really invested in helping our businesses in the city, we want to keep them here, we want to make sure they’re thriving," Kearney said.
"The health and lives of our city’s seniors, children and families in Roselawn and Bond Hill were changed due to having access to a grocery store more than a decade ago," said Renee Mahaffey Harris, CEO of the Center for Closing the Health Gap, which worked with Pearson to open the store.
For employees and customers, part of what makes the store so important is that it's Roselawn's only grocery store.
Annie Ruth Napier, president of the Roselawn Community Council, said preventing that is crucial because many seniors in the community rely on Save-A-Lot for food.
“Many of those seniors, they can’t pay to have food ordered and delivered to their homes," Napier said. "Many of them are riding on their scooters to come here to shop to get fresh vegetables and food.”
She and store manager Iesha Christian credit the city for listening to residents' concerns.
“Oh my god, it has been awesome," Christian said.
Christian said she spoke to us in our original report because she wanted to give a voice to the community she works for.
“I love my job, I love it to death, but it was more so for the people," Christian said.
Have a story idea or tip for WCPO 9 east side reporter Alex Null? Email him at alex@wcpo.com.
