The Fillmore Safeway is closing soon, leaving locals worried about food access and a vacant space.
Fillmore: The Fillmore Safeway is shutting down soon, and it’s a big deal for the community. With no clear plans for what comes next, the store is almost empty already.
Last week, people were lining up outside to snag deals as the store marked down prices. They started with “Up to 50% Off” signs, but now it’s “Up to 75% Off.” When I visited, it felt like a ghost town inside, with just one checkout open.
Even though prices are slashed, most of the good stuff is gone. You might find some energy drinks and a few snacks, but the shelves are pretty bare. The produce, meat, and dairy sections are all cleared out.
Community members are really upset about this closure. Many elderly and disabled folks have relied on this Safeway for years. The next closest store is over a mile away, which isn’t easy for everyone to reach.
Sabine Dabady, who works with non-profits on food access, shared her concerns about how tough this will be for those who can’t easily get to a store further away. She also mentioned the eyesore this empty space will create for the neighborhood.
After the store closes, the parking lot will still be used by nearby businesses, but it’s unclear how they’ll be affected by future development plans.
There were some surprise plans last winter for a mixed-use development on the site, but with the store closing now, it feels more urgent. Safeway had mentioned shoplifting as a reason for the closure, which adds to the frustration.
There’s even talk from local leaders about using eminent domain to take back the property for community use, especially since it was taken from Black property owners in the past. It’s a complicated situation, and it’s unclear what will happen next.
