Save-A-Lot owner asks city for money over closure, customers express concerns

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Customers at the Save-A-Lot at Broadway Market were greeted with a locked door and a piece of computer paper signifying the store’s closing Wednesday.

Customers and Buffalo Common’s Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski have had enough, and the owner isn’t sure the “open” sign will come back unless the city writes him a check.

“They should try to figure it out, but if he’s ridiculous, leave him alone and hire someone else,” said Save-A-Lot regular Orin Holliday. “But if he’s honest and upstanding, help him stay.”

Ronald Horrigan, a store owner who is $60,000 behind on his rent and recently closed his shop, said the rise in shoplifting since the pandemic is to blame.

Horrigan said the only way the project will work is for the city of Buffalo to step in.

“The city doesn’t have a lot of money either, so I’m sure they can find what I’m looking for if they really want to,” he said.

Nowakowski disputed the reason for Horrigan’s closure — alleged thefts — in an interview with News 4 last month. At the time, Nowakowski said the market failed to notify the city of its intention to close or communicate what it needed to keep the business alive.

Since the city approved a $500,000 zero-interest loan for the struggling downtown Braymiller Market last year, Horrigan thinks he should be considered for something similar.

“I’m looking for about three-quarters of what Braymiller got,” he said.

Nowakowski noted that the Braymiller loan was issued using leftover COVID relief money.

Horrigan and Nowakowski agree on one thing: They have no confidence in Save-A-Lot’s future.

“The city, the market manager, they haven’t had any discussions with him, but they’ve kind of failed, so at this point I really want to put an end to this nonsense,” Nowakowski said. “If you want to leave, please let the City of Buffalo know that you’re leaving and we’ll move forward.”

Broadway Fillmore residents said they want more affordable grocery options in their neighborhood, and the uncertainty about Save-A-Lot’s future isn’t helping that.

“As long as they give us a deal, or give a deal to those who have no way of getting a deal, let somebody else come,” said Save-A-Lot customer Helen Kirksey. “If he doesn’t want to pay, he can’t stay.”