The Walmart Neighborhood Market on Shallowford Road officially closed its doors Friday, and community leaders said they are focused on finding another grocery store to serve the area.
“We are in talks with other grocers, and we will be hosting a meeting with community leaders to discuss these details,” said Dennis Clark, who is running to represent District 5 on the Chattanooga City Council. “I live in the Woodmore community, and you have thousands of residents, including me and my parents, who are without access to fresh food.”
Isiah Hester, who is running for the City Council seat against Clark, said he and his team are also working to find a grocery store interested in moving into the area, particularly for the elderly residents of Eastwood Manor less than half a mile from the Walmart Neighborhood Market.
“One of the biggest impacts are to the elderly at the senior citizen home,” he said. “They enjoy walking across the street to get fresh vegetables and fruit, it’s part of their daily routine.”
Clark and Hester are running to replace City Councilman Russell Gilbert after his unsuccessful bid for mayor. Clark said he has pulled together a Food Access and Equity Task Force that includes Gilbert and other community leaders to tackle this issue.