Kroger, the parent company of Food4Less and Ralphs grocery stores, will close the only Food4Less location in Inglewood this month.
Salvador Ramirez, the company’s spokesperson, said the store on Century Boulevard will close for good “by the end of March and employees will be offered jobs at other locations.”
As for shoppers, the store’s closure means one less grocery store. Food insecurity is an issue that many people in Inglewood are facing, according to Lauren Brazile, the founder of nonprofit organization WeGrowLA that distributes free food to residents.
Closing the Food4Less on Century means customers will have to go to other locations to get the low prices and variety the grocery store is known for or simply find a different store, Brazile said. Losing the store in Inglewood poses another challenge for people already struggling with a lack of food due to access and affordability.
The nearest closest Food4Less store is 2 miles away in South LA on Western Avenue and Imperial Highway.
“It’s heartbreaking. They’ve been over here for so long,” said Tish Nauls, who told The LA Local she’s traveled for years from South LA to Inglewood to shop at Food4Less on Century because of the prices and the upkeep of the store.
“I know Inglewood is trying to be the stadium city, but all these businesses are closing down and it’s just disappointing. It’s making it harder for the people who live here to be able to shop,” Nauls said.
The closure comes after Kroger announced it would close 60 Food4Less stores over an 18-month period in its quarterly report last year. The company has 89 grocery stores across 66 cities in California, according to its website.
So, what will happen to the former Food4Less site now? Bernard McCrumby Jr., Inglewood development services director, said the city has not been in contact with the property owner but it will remain a part of the commercial corridor unless zoning changes are made.
“As we go through our general plan update, that’s a site that we’re looking at very closely at meeting our community’s needs,” McCrumby said.
The LA Local reached out to District 1 Councilmember Gloria Gray, but did not receive a response. Gray represents the district where Food4Less is located.
Food advocate says nonprofits will step up after Food4Less closure
Shopper Viola Logan, said she likes Food4Less because it has everything she needs, but now she’ll have to go to other stores nearby because “the times are changing and the other stores in the same plaza with the Food4Less have already closed down.”
Dominique Bredan, another shopper, said she’s lived in Inglewood for two years and stops by the Century location when she’s nearby.
“I just found out this store is closing and I hate that grocery stores are closing down,” Bredan said. “I’ll just start going to another Food4Less on Western.”
Brazile, with WeGrowLA, said she’s seen similar situations in South LA where local nonprofits have to step in when grocery stores close.
“It happens like clockwork,” Brazile said. “The store closes and then in the weeks to come, the local nonprofits that distribute free food are pushed to capacity because people are in need more than before.”
Brazile, who also works with WeGrowInglewood, said her nonprofit group is planning to distribute free food twice a month at two locations in Inglewood after the store closes.
“This is just another time for nonprofits to show what our real impact is in the community,” she said. “When the government fails, when businesses fail, we’re still there.”
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Food4Less on Century, here are seven stores nearby in Inglewood:
- Grocery Outlet – 2810 W. Imperial Highway, Inglewood, CA 90303
- Vons – 500 E. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301
- ALDI – 3330 W. Century Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303
- Smart and Final – 10100 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303
- Superior Grocers – 11202 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303
- Northgate Market – 10801 S. Prairie Ave., Inglewood, CA 90303
- El Super – 3321 Century Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90303