Kroger eschedule at Greatpeople.me
(KABC) — LOS ANGELES (KABC) — "Ralphs is a store where I frequently shop. Where are we going if it goes out of business? They're just in a few communities "Ozella Tims, a member of the community, agreed.
Three of Kroger's shops will close in May, the company announced on Wednesday.
According to a corporate spokeswoman, a Ralphs at 9616 West Pico Blvd, another Ralphs at 3300 West Slauson Ave., and a Food 4 Less at 5420 West Sunset Blvd will close on May 15.
"I'm hoping this Ralphs doesn't close because it's the nearest one to my house, and I'm 87," said Esther Brown, a community member. "It always seems to be packed."
The closing of these stores will have an impact not only on the lives of the employees, but also on the lives of the many community members who rely on these stores for fresh vegetables and other necessities.
"Ralphs is a community pillar; for it to be knocked down would be tragic," remarked Ron Ron, a Ralphs client. "They have enough money to pay their workers an extra $5 per hour."
This ruling follows the passage of the Hero Pay Act in Los Angeles, which mandates that large grocery stores and pharmacies provide employees with an additional $5 per hour in hazard pay.
"We need grocery shops, and Kroger's refusal to provide greater compensation to key workers is wrong," Tims said.
According to a corporate spokeswoman, the three stores are underperforming sites, and the mandate would make keeping the stores open financially unsustainable after accounting for additional operating costs due to COVID-19.
"It's never our intention to close a store, but when you consider the increased costs of operating during COVID-19, consistent financial losses at these three locations, and a nearly $20 million extra pay mandate over the next 120 days, it becomes impossible to operate these three stores," a company spokesperson said.
"It's awful to close a grocery shop when we already have an overabundance of liquor stores in compared to grocery stores and places where you can truly acquire fresh food," said Roshawndra, a community member. "That's very humiliating, especially in this neighborhood."
After the city passed hero pay, which increased wages by $4, two Kroger stores in Long Beach were announced to be shutting on April 17th. Read more about kroger eschedule.