There was much hand-wringing among Southeast Raleigh residents when Kroger recently announced the imminent closing of two of its grocery stores in the area, citing disappointing sales. What many folks don’t know is that one of the stores that many now turn to for their groceries was also on the verge of closing just a few years ago.
The shopping center that the Raleigh Boulevard Food Lion occupies was once plagued with crime. Residents were getting mugged in the parking lot, sketchy individuals were hanging out, stores were struggling, and there was zero investment in the shopping center from its owner. Inside the grocery store, more food was walking out than money was going in. Something had to be done.
Alarmed by the crime in the shopping center, I set up a meeting with my fellow East CAC leaders and Chief Dolan and Stacey Deans of the Raleigh Police Department. We asked for a police presence in the shopping center and to their credit RPD listened.
Soon the police set up a neighborhood field office in the shopping center, which became a place where beat officers could stop by and do paperwork or meet with residents. Around the same time, the shopping center changed hands, leading to much-needed improvements. Under York Property’s management, security patrols were also added to the shopping center which put an end to the loitering.
Now new businesses have moved into the shopping center. The April 2011 tornadoes were a blessing in disguise for the center, providing an opportunity to refresh the facade. People feel comfortable shopping there again. The community has embraced the store and its future appears bright. I was amazed at how crowded the store was the other day.
I hope the other neighborhoods of Southeast Raleigh can find ways to embrace their local grocery stores, too. Having healthy food choices is vital to the health of a community. Communities need to do their part to keep their local stores healthy, too.