Grocery store set to close on Buffalo’s Eastside

BUFFALO, NY – Another East Side grocery store is closing its doors.

The Save-a-lot inside Broadway Market will soon close its doors. Handwritten closing signs are found throughout the store. Some read “Store Closing” and “Save Lots 20% Off”.

That leaves Buffalo’s Eastside with just two major grocery giants. These stores are Aldi, across from Broadway Market, and Tops on Jefferson Ave.

However, city officials and the market manager say they are unaware of the store’s closure. Save-A-Lot resides in the Fillmore District. 2 On Your Side demands answers from Councilor Mitch Nowakowski.

“The city hasn’t told me anything officially,” Nowakowski says. “The market manager understood that he wanted to close thanks to the handwritten signs on the front of the door.”

Employees say shoplifting killed the store. They also say prices are rising, which hardly brings in buyers. Nowakowski doesn’t know if the store will close but says he will work tirelessly to get another grocery store, if and when Save-A-Lot closes.

“There is no case of widespread looting. The blame has been placed on workers and rising wage costs and this appears to avoid the real problem that exists with the operator.”

Many residents are unhappy with this news. Of course, the buyers that we mainly see in the store live nearby, but they assure that the store attracts a lot of customers.

“This is crazy! I can’t believe they’re closing! What are we going to do?” said Loretta Anderson. “They just closed the Family Dollar. I wonder, what will we have there?”

Anderson says she’s in disbelief. She says she’s been shopping here for years!

“I come here two, three, four times a week. It’s economically feasible for everyone.”

Besides, she has to walk here. So when she buys what’s left at the store, she depends on her two legs and her stroller.

“I love creating. Whatever I see on TikTok, I’m like, ‘Oh. That’s all I need. It’s not that expensive. Let me see if Save-A-Lot got it .'”

On the other hand, store employees are finding new jobs. Meats manager Kenneth Oquendo, who has been here six years, says their feelings hurt.

“People deserve better here,” Oquendo says. “I already have a few Save-A-Lots calling me to come work for them.”

He’s known about the store’s closing for about six months, but hopes it’s just rumors. He says he will miss the customers and the connections he made with them.

“The people were beautiful here,” Oquendo says.

2 On Your Side reached out to Broadway Market and store owner Ron Horrigan. There was no response.