Overview
- The seven stores closed on Saturday, July 25, 2026, after Save A Lot ended its operating agreement with Ohio‑based Yellow Banana because of what the company called “significant financial headwinds.”
- Company statements and reporting point to a 26% year‑over‑year drop in SNAP/EBT transactions as a major hit to sales for these low‑margin grocery locations.
- The city gave Yellow Banana roughly $13.5 million in tax‑increment financing and other public support to renovate six stores, and an occupancy deal requires TIF sites to be reoccupied by a grocer within a year or risk repayment obligations.
- Workers at the closed stores face job losses though Save A Lot says it is offering support, and remaining merchandise was steeply discounted with unopened nonperishables set for distribution to community groups or other stores.
- City officials, Save A Lot, Yellow Banana and financial partners are discussing investors, new operators or other steps to reopen the locations, and the outcome could affect how the city recoups taxpayer dollars and restores grocery access in food‑scarce neighborhoods.