Save A Lot grocery store reopens in West Garfield Park

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Save A Lot grocery store will celebrate a grand reopening on the West Side on Thursday.

The area has been considered a food desert, but the reopening could generate mixed reactions.

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The store is at 420 South Pulaski Road.

This is a big problem for residents living in the city’s West Garfield Park neighborhood, who have few to no grocery store options.

The store was closed in 2022 by the city because it was infested with rats, causing the area to be deemed a “food desert.”

Save A Lot reopens today under the ownership of Yellow Banana.

Nearly two years ago, Yellow Banana received $13.5 million in city grants to reopen or renovate six Save-A-Lot stores on the South and West Sides. Work began on the West Garfield Park location in 2023 and was expected to take 10 weeks to complete.

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Right now, the only Save lot open in the city is in Englewood at 63rd and Halsted streets, and that’s sparked some resistance from neighbors who said they wanted a better-quality grocery store in their neighborhood.

According to Block Club Chicago, Save A Lot stores are expected to reopen this fall in the South Shore, South Chicago, West Pullman and Auburn Gresham neighborhoods.

City officials and other local leaders will gather at the West Garfield Park location on Thursday to cut the ribbon to celebrate the reopening.

The reopening is said to have a community focus with shopping and gifting for customers.

The reopening ceremony begins at 10 am.