It’s so absurd. I live in the neighborhood and yes, the store sucks. I wish it offered things besides alcohol and gambling machines but to say this corner store or corner stores are the ROOT issue to why we have violence, homelessness, or drug issues is ridiculous. Elected officials are looking for quick fix answers that don’t involve them actually having to find money for community services. I’ve inquired with community members advocating for the closing about what their plan is to ensure this doesn’t become vacant or just another store with the same issues and no one has a plan in place. Like community grants targeted at community focused business or a nonprofit or fundraising to buy the lot and redevelop it. It’s a shitty building and to think it won’t just sit vacant like many buildings on meadowbridge and Brookland park is very wishful thinking. They are scapegoating the store, which is at best idiotic and at worst dangerous. They aren’t even taking the correct punitive approach, which would be busting the nearby drug homes and dealers who are selling drugs and shooting people.

Also, love how our councilperson is condoning gambling machines but was fully behind One Casino /s.