On Tuesday Walmart announced that it will close four of its stores in Chicago with little notice. The stores are slated to close on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
The four stores closing are:
#5781 Chatham Supercenter, the Walmart Health center, and the Walmart Academy, 8431 S. Stewart Ave.
#3166 Kenwood Neighborhood Market, 4720 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
#5645 Lakeview Neighborhood Market, 2844 N. Broadway St.
#5646 Little Village Neighborhood Market, 2551 W. Cermak Road
A news release from the company said in part,
"Our Chicago stores have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago - these stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year, and their annual losses nearly doubled in just the last five years. The remaining four Chicago stores continue to face the same business difficulties, but we think this decision gives us the best chance to help keep them open and serving the community."
The company said all associates at the store are eligible to be transferred to another Walmart location. The pharmacies at the closing locations will remain open to serve patients for up to 30 days. Retiring 21st Alderman Howard Brookins who worked closely with Chatham businessmen in the 1990’s fought to get Walmart in the Chatham area and for it to reopen after the civil unrest in 2020. "To hear today, a couple of hours ago, that they are going to close, a profound disappointment and sadness overcame me," he said.
Alderman Elect, William Hall (4th Ward) said in a statement,
"Walmart has a long history of building in underserved communities, pushing out local businesses, and then abandoning the community without notice. As a result of corporate greed, 400 people are out of work, and residents have lost a pharmacy and job training facility. Shame on Walmart!...As alderman elect, I will work closely with Alderman Elect, Ronnie Mosely of the 21st ward to make sure this space does not remain vacant and is utilized by businesses that have respect for our community and share in a vision of a Chicago for all."
The company said it has tried different strategies, including building smaller stores and offering services beyond retail, but says they have not improved stores' performance. Last year, the Chatham community welcomed the Walmart Academy located in the parking lot of the Stewart Ave. store, offering classes and workshops to the community. All those programs have been canceled, although a Walmart spokesperson said the company plans to donate the academy for community uses. Most recently, the store held a ribbon cutting heralding the opening of the Walmart Clinic inside the store, promising comprehensive health care options for the community at affordable prices. Both the Academy and the health clinic will also close.
Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson released a statement on the closings, saying, "Walmart's decision to close four locations in Chicago will leave a void in the communities they serve, particularly stores located in communities that have historically lacked options for grocery stores and pharmacies. These stores served as a crucial lifeline for communities to obtain fresh, affordable produce. We are committed to identifying ways to fill the gaps these closures will leave in neighborhoods and find creative solutions to repurpose these facilities to the community's benefit."