New grocery store aims to help fill food gaps in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Arriel Williams grew up on the east side of Springfield. He remembers as a child going to fetch groceries for his grandmother from Jewel-Osco on Ash Street, the one on the east side, not downtown. That was decades ago though, and the 50-year-old said he’s seen big box stores leave over the years. Their reasons tend to be "closing underperforming stores" and consolidating costs, but when new constructions are still going up and the city's population is only increasing, Williams says he wants to want it make sense. So, when Save-A-Lot at 2520 E. Clear Lake Ave. closed the day before Christmas last year, Williams took the plunge to invest in his future and own a local grocery store. More: Community helps Curve Inn rebuild after fire “I know it’s a food desert and the community needs it,” Williams said. “My grandmother used to run me down here when I was a kid; everyone on the block they’d call my grandmother’s and have me run … So, I know it’s a need in a community and I want to help the community. I used to work in grocery stores when I was younger, so it was exciting
