Closures
Three Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food locations were all shut down. The locations that were closed are Bronzeville KFC at 300 East 35th Street, a location in Greater Grand Crossing at 7508 South Lafayette, and a KFC in Chatham at 8307 South King Drive. The owners updated Chatham’s KFC in 2022 with bright red paint and a white painting of the colonel. But as of right now, it stands boarded up and empty despite the freshly paved lot.
Many people in the community are expressing their distaste about the restaurants closing, people stating things like, “We as a community are not considered to be viable! We as a community are considered to be a flash in the pan,” another neighbor resident commented. “KFC is just like Walmart, Target, and Marshalls, who come into the neighborhood and split before the bricks have been set.”
Residents of the neighborhoods are saying that it is a setback for their communities. Leaving the abandoned buildings in the neighborhood, not wanting to see abandonment and vacancy near where the residents live. Hoping to tear the boarded-up buildings down and start creating a new business and more job opportunities.
At this time, KFC representatives don’t have any comments in regard to future plans for the buildings. It’s important to note that businesses occasionally close due to various reasons, including increased competition, shifting consumer preferences, and rising costs. KFC officials have described their choice as “the normal course of business” but did acknowledge its difficulty.
Feed Back From the Residence
The company responded and said, “While this is always a difficult decision, we appreciate the patronage of our loyal guests,” the KFC spokesperson said. “We look forward to continue serving our customers at the other KFCs located in the area.
Alderman Hall goes on to say how its unsightly and very disheartening to see broken-down storefronts and homes. He further goes on to say “It looks as if there is no love, no hope in the community,” says Alderman Hall. “Any job lost is a life lost in my opinion, because everyone deserves the opportunity to make an honest and clean living,” said Hall.
“It is an opportunity to reimagine that corner, KFC has been there since I was a child. It’s disappointing to see a staple of over 35 years close,” said Hall. “We’re going to look to the future, even if it means tearing down that KFC and building a new business, but we are not going to stop until that vacancy is filled.”
Hall also states his disappointment in learning the news of KFC’s departure at three locations.
“It’s something we’re seeing across the city, but nevertheless, neighborhoods, it hits differently,” Hall said.
What’s the Future of these Buildings?
Comparing the closing of the KFCs to the closing of Cinema Chatham, a local movie theater, shut down. It came as a big surprise to community members. Leaders at parent company Emagine Entertainment said the franchise operator, Jon Goldstein is the one responsible for closing the theater, “as a result of the business at this specific location no longer being economically viable.” Many people are upset with the closing of the buildings. Meaning that there are going to be more open spots due to the circumstances.
The closing of all three restaurants is a source of outrage in the community. They feel that this will be a downfall for the community. Feeling as though this situation is serious. The restaurants joined a growing list of different businesses to close up shop on Chicago’s South Side, including Cinema Chatham and a massive Walmart Supercenter near South Stewart Avenue and 84th Street.
Some residents went to social media to voice their opinions about the news. One wrote: “This is ridiculous that businesses are closing and people are without jobs.”
To the South Side of Chicago, it is more than just another business closing, to them it means more empty spots, more people with no jobs, and fewer opportunities for the people who need them. People are starting to become very concerned for the future of their community and where it might lead them later on.
By: Layla N.
Sources:
Fox News: Concerns rise as 3 KFC restaurants close doors in South Side Chicago neighborhoods
MSN: KFC shuts down three locations across Chicago’s South Side
Block Club Chicago: KFC Abruptly Closes 3 South Side Locations
Featured Image Courtesy of Marufish’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Dan Keck’s Flickr Page – Public Domain License
