2 Metro Council members question west end Kroger closing early

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two Louisville Metro Council members are trying to get to the bottom as to why the Kroger store on West Broadway is closing early.

As one of only two grocery stores in the west end, the early closing makes a community known as a food desert more dry.

Kroger spokesperson Jessica Sharp said in an email the store on West Broadway is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, but people told WDRB that is not always the case.

For Miss Caldwell, who lives just a few blocks from the Kroger store and doesn't have a car, she walks to the store when she needs something, which is about everyday. Caldwell said the erratic closing hours began a couple months ago, and on Monday, she is leaving nothing to chance and did her shopping in the middle of the afternoon.

If the store closes early, Caldwell said she just waits until the next day to do her shopping.

During regular business hours, WDRB watched two girls, that apparently had to walk to grocery store, take the shopping cart home with them.

“People got to walk to this grocery store, people don't have no money to Uber eat and all that fancy stuff," said Antwan Jones, as he sat on a bright blue bicycle that he rides to the grocery store.

Jones comes to the store when needed, and he said there have been times his needs were not met.

“Where can you go?” Jones asks, knowing that the closest grocery store is several miles away.

Metro Council members Tammy Hawkins, D-1, and Jecorey Arthur, D-4, are planning a rally in the Kroger parking lot at 2 p.m. Wednesday. A statement from their office read:

"This collaboration aims to potentially extend the operating hours for one of the few grocery stores in West Louisville, addressing the significant issue of food insecurity in this area."

Caldwell said the store seems understaffed at times, which she thought could be the reason for the erratic early closing. Whatever the problem, she hopes it is settled soon.

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