City-Owned Grocery Store Plagued by Empty Shelves Finally Closes After Years of Loses [WATCH]

A city-owned grocery store in Kansas City, Missouri, has shut its doors after years of financial challenges and the investment of millions of taxpayer dollars.

The closure comes as similar proposals for government-run grocery stores are being promoted elsewhere, including in New York City by Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

The Kansas City Sun Fresh market, located in Midtown, closed on Tuesday morning.

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Local news outlet KSHB reported that a note was posted on the store’s entrance informing customers of the shutdown.

“Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer, at this time, able to serve the residents of this important community,” the note read.

“It has always been our dream and passion to provide quality products and services in a safe, family environment. At this time, unfortunately, we are unable to do that.”

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— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 23, 2025

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Fox News Digital confirmed the closure through a statement from Emmet Pierson, CEO of Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC), the non-profit organization that took over ownership of the market in 2022.

The acquisition was handled through Midtown Grocers LLC, an entity operated by CBKC.

“Community Builders of Kansas City, through Midtown Grocers LLC, has worked tirelessly to provide food and necessary services to the urban community throughout its history,” Pierson said in the statement.

“Community Builders has been vocal for years about our concerns and fears regarding the increasingly insurmountable challenges of the KC Sun Fresh Midtown location – they are well-documented and well-known to the community, the media and the City of Kansas City, Missouri (the landlord of the Sun Fresh Midtown location).”

Pierson added that the decision to close was effective as of August 12, 2025.

“As of August 12, 2025, CBKC is no longer able to serve the residents from this Midtown Sun Fresh location. We have no other comments at this time.”

The store had been considered a community resource in a neighborhood that faced limited access to grocery options.

However, operational and financial challenges persisted over the years.

Local reports indicate that the market faced difficulties maintaining sufficient customer traffic and covering operating expenses, despite public funding support.

The City of Kansas City owns the building in which the Sun Fresh market operated.

Officials have not yet announced plans for the future use of the property or whether a new grocery store will occupy the location.

The closure underscores the risks and challenges associated with municipally owned retail operations.

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In the case of Sun Fresh, despite public and private efforts to sustain the store, declining revenues and other economic pressures ultimately led to its shutdown.

While the Kansas City experiment in city-owned grocery retail has come to an end, similar proposals are currently under discussion in other parts of the country.

In New York City, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has suggested that city-run grocery stores could help address food access issues in underserved neighborhoods.

The Kansas City outcome may factor into debates over the viability and long-term sustainability of such programs.

Community leaders in Kansas City have expressed concern about the loss of the Midtown grocery option and the potential impact on residents who relied on the store for food access.

No timeline has been provided for replacing the store with another grocer or service provider.