Chicago Is Losing Supermarkets. Does a Small Kansas Town Have the Answer?
A handful of small U.S. cities own and operate grocery stores in an effort to stave off economic decline and help residents access fresh food. Now Chicago weighs giving it a try.
ERIE, Kan. -- As Chicago considers whether it should be the first large city to own a grocery store in its municipal ownership, it will look to cities like this one of 1,000 residents for advice on how to go about it.
Things aren't going well at the moment. Erie Market is losing money every month despite stiff competition from Walmarts 15 miles away and Dollar Generals across the street. The store lowered prices, emptied the shelves of expired products and added a salad bar in an effort to attract more customers.