Gary Mayor Eddie Melton announced Friday that Miller K Market and Save More had reopened after successful health and safety inspections.
“These temporary closures are part of a coordinated effort to raise expectations and hold businesses accountable,” Melton said in a video accompanying the Facebook post. “In some cases, temporary closure has been the only effective enforcement tool after repeated, repeated warnings. Our residents deserve to trust the businesses that are serving their food.”
Since Aug. 21, the Gary Health Department has closed multiple grocery stores throughout the city, citing code violations.
Sam’s Grocery Store, located at the corner of 21st Avenue and Malcolm X Drive, was the first to close, Mayor Eddie Melton announced in a previous Facebook post.
“I want to thank our dedicated health inspectors for their hard work and vigilance, as well as the residents who continue to look out for one another,” Melton said. “By taking these actions, we are not only protecting our families — we are also making way for stronger, safer businesses that will better serve the people of Gary.”
Council President Lori Latham, D-1st, informed residents in a message on Thursday that Miller K Market in the Miller neighborhood “is being shut down to recurring health and fire code violations.”
“Like many of you, I have shopped at Miller K Market over the years and value having this long-standing grocer in the community,” Latham’s message said. “However, businesses must comply with city health and safety regulations in order to operate.”
Latham did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
Melton said GPTC bus service to other grocery stores via the R3 and Broadway routes would increase in frequency and be free of charge starting Saturday to assist Gary residents in accessing fresh food. He also said the city has been working with IU Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence on the issue of food deserts in the city.
He advised residents to call 219-882-5565 to report any health violations and 219-881-1400 for any fire, building or safety issues.
LaJuan Clemons, founder of the Family Life Community Center and Gary Food Collective, on Sept. 3, had announced the closure of Save More grocery store at 921 Broadway.
“Since 2016, I’ve been pleading with our community to rise up and reclaim our economic power by owning our own grocery stores,” Clemons said. “Now, eight years later, we are building. And while we rise, the systems that were never created for our development are collapsing before our eyes.”
Clemons called the closures “a public health and economic emergency” that can make way for diet-related illnesses, food insecurity and financial strain.
The Gary Food Collective is planning to take steps to advocate for better grocery stores throughout the city, including through reorganizing its board, strengthening partnerships and accelerating plans for a store at 2113 Broadway.
The Gary Food Collective’s grocery stores would be owned locally, reinvest profits in the community and increase access to various items, including fresh produce, herbs, baby food and locally sourced products.
“This is not just about grocery stores closing,” Clemons said. “This is about survival. It’s about justice. It’s about dignity. We will not keep begging systems that were built to neglect us. We are building our own. Gary deserves better.”
