Retailers Accused of “Racism” as They Flee Black Neighborhoods in Milwaukee
27th July 2025
Milwaukee is the latest in a long list of US cities facing a rapid retail exodus in minority neighborhoods and once again the blame is being placed on the companies in question rather than the behavior of the residents as they protests the rising tide of “food deserts”.
At the beginning of July, city officials mounted a public outcry after Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. announced the decision to close at least five Pick ‘n Save supermarket locations, including one in Milwaukee’s Metcalfe Park neighborhood.
The city was also notified by Walgreens that they will be closing at least seven locations over the next two years and CVS will be closing some locations as well. Activists argue that the closures center around “black and brown neighborhoods” and that these areas “deserve access” to nearby grocery outlets.
Except when they do have ‘access to groceries’, they don’t buy them; they shoplift them. That’s why the companies are closing the stores. If the companies could do business there without crippling losses, they’d be happy to keep the stores open. s