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10-15-2013

NNB News : 2013 : 10 : 15 : After Sweetbay...What Now?

Lori Castellano

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Scholar Commons Citation Castellano, Lori, "NNB News : 2013 : 10 : 15 : After Sweetbay...What Now?" (2013). NNB News. 35. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/nnb_news/35

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Neighborhood News Bureau (USF St. Petersburg campus) at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in NNB News by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. After Sweetbay…What Now? | Neighbors

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In St. Petersburg, On patrol, the routine can suddenly turn serious Fla.’s Midtown neighborhood the windows of At alternative weekly, food and drink are her the old Sweetbay Supermarket remain boarded beats up with black plywood over them, and the Passionate piano, colorful footwear help him parking lot is still empty with just a few cars that coach journalists visit the existing stores at the Tangerine Plaza. Mining disaster helped steel him for a new Lori Castellano | NNB career in public relations In February of this year, Sweetbay, the Sweetbay’s Midtown location remains empty following its Belgium-based corporate parent of a U.S. departure earlier this year. As college building goes up, he’s a maestro in Midtown subsidiary of multiple supermarket chains, closed 33 of the 100-plus store chain in west central Florida taking the much-heralded Midtown location School strives to break the cycle of generational poverty with them. He finds the facts, the people and the payments Nearby businesses in the plaza still continue to feel the loss from the grocery store chain’s sudden that elude others

departure less than a year ago. He lives his son’s dream, every step of the way

Ying Wu is an employee at Orient China Star, a restaurant that still is surviving, would like to see Lorene’s is still thriving after two decades in The Deuces another grocery store. Their business has declined, and they are feeling the loss of Sweetbay. “We are a lot slower now,” Wu said. Inside a struggling middle school, the student newspaper is thriving

The desire for another grocery store is on the wish list of not only the business owners but many of the 18 Years later, he still grieves for his slain residents who live close to this shopping center and now have to travel farther distances to get their brother groceries. Her job: influence decision makers and public opinion According to a study conducted in Philadelphia by the Journal of Marketing, “researchers found that 92% Could Ferguson-like violence happen in St. of the families interviewed did their main grocery shopping outside their neighborhood, going to larger Petersburg, Tampa? stores and getting better prices.” Accessibility to grocery stores in Midtown is an issue to a lot of For daughters of St. Petersburg, two divergent residents who don’t have access to a car and have to rely on a bus for their groceries. paths

Shakeenda Simmons is a Midtown resident lives two blocks away from the old site, and she would like She helps traditional journalists migrate to digital media to see a new grocery store. She misses having one so close to her home. Artist, rapper help bridge the gap between St. Pete and Tampa “It’s a big inconvenience to travel to Dollar General,” she said. “And it’s tough with the smaller variety.” She gets the word out on congresswoman’s schedule and priorities The cost of visiting the neighborhood or corner stores also plays a factor because of price. He builds and he renovates and he barbers and “A box of grits at the corner store is $5, but I can get a five-pound bag at Sweetbay for the same price,” he mentors and…

Simmons said. “I hope Walmart is coming. I’ll be happy.” For volunteers, building homes abroad is life- changing experience Gretchen Calhoun is a Midtown resident who lives close to the shopping center. She was devastated Together again, thanks to hard work and Habitat when Sweetbay left. Her family now has to travel to Save-A-Lot and Walmart to get their groceries and for Humanity has to take the bus to get there. Covering the Lightning: hip checks aren’t just for players “Transportation is tough getting rides on the bus, and it’s not as convenient,” she said. Artist finds inspiration in African and Native American culture Rudolph Sweet, Sr., is a student and Midtown resident who is excited with all the redevelopment going http://magazine.nnbnews.com/2013/10/114/[4/30/2015 8:58:02 AM] After Sweetbay…What Now? | Neighbors

on in Midtown. He cites the recent makeover of the Manhattan Casino and the expansion of St. Hockey and social media: an exciting mix for young professional Petersburg College’s Midtown campus as proof that a new grocery store will move in, and he hopes that store will be a Neighborhood Walmart.

“Someone told me they were turning the Sweetbay into a Neighborhood Walmart,” he said. “I usually go to the Walmart on 34th St. S., which is a lot farther away.”

“The store staff needs to reflect the neighborhood customers,” Sweet said. He is skeptical and thinks that Walmart will bring employees from within.

“We need fresh produce and at a reasonable cost,” Calhoun said.