'We are teetering on the edge': New food grant program hopes to prevent grocery store closures
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The City of Milwaukee has seen a number of grocery stores close in the last few months, leaving residents worried about where they can get food.
Sentry Foods on Lisbon Avenue
Sentry Foods on 92nd and Lisbon Lisbon is another store feeling the pain, but the owner says they're hanging on, thanks in part to a new city grant.
"We are teetering on the edge right now. We are doing everything we can to keep it operational," said Navi Sandhar, Sentry Foods owner.
Sandhar took over Sentry Foods on Milwaukee's northwest side one year ago.
"I'm having enough equipment issues where, to fix them, I don't have the income coming in anymore to be able to fix them," said Sandhar.
He, like other grocery store owners, has been hit with multiple challenges.
"We did have a whole construction going on Lisbon Ave, but with that, we lost a lot of customers coming down here," Sandhar explained.
Navi Sandhar, Sentry Foods owner
"A lot of these stores saw challenges that arose, quite frankly, during the government shutdown," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
On Monday, city leaders announced a new effort to help and retain grocery stores.
"A grant of $25,000 was approved to help Navi," said Mayor Johnson.
This grant money will go towards capital costs, which Mayor Johnson says is the main struggle for stores.
"Keep their staff on payroll, keep the lights on, the doors open, that's what we want to focus on right now," said Mayor Johnson.
In the last year, we have seen dozens of stores close -- many closing suddenly, leaving customers stranded.
"The notice we are working on is a 60-day notice. We plan on, in those first 30 days, trying to work with that business," said Alderwoman Andrea Pratt.
Sandhar says the grant will help but won't cover the equipment overhaul he needs.
"My system itself is so old that I need to get that updated to get my We Energies bill down. To convert all that over, it's a significant amount we would need," said Sandhar.
He says the biggest help would be people supporting local business despite the recent challenges.
"We understand others are closing around, but we are still here, we are still trying to operate. We are a family-owned business, we just want as much help as we can get," said Sandhar.
Sentry Foods
