Cleveland Councilman Leading Rally to Keep Giant Eagle Stores Open

CLEVELAND, OH - In an attempt to pressure Giant Eagle into coming to the negotiating table, Cleveland City Councilman Brian Kazy is holding a rally at a West Side Giant Eagle on Saturday. In a release, he says he's hoping to give voice to the community's disapproval of the company's decision to close two stores in Cleveland.

On Monday, Cleveland City Council passed a resolution imploring Giant Eagle to reconsider its decision to close the grocery stores and a Get-Go gas station in the city. About 120 people are employed between those locations. The resolution asks Giant Eagle to work with the city to keep the stores open.

Kazy says that Giant Eagle never approached the city of Cleveland about solutions to keep the stores open and media reports gave customers the news that they had less than two weeks to change where they get their medical prescriptions filled.

The rally will be held at the Giant Eagle at 13820 Lorain Avenue (one of the two stores being closed)from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The store on 11501 Buckeye Road and the GetGo on 2780 E 116th Street will close on February 4. Then the store at 13820 Lorain Avenue will close on March 4. The store's pharmacies will close Jan. 14, the company says the early shut-down will ensure that all prescriptions are successfully transferred.

"The sudden closings of pharmacies in mid-January leaves little time for customers to transfer prescriptions, placing hardships, especially on our seniors and those with disabilities,” said Council President Kevin Kelley on Monday.

Photo from Niceckhart, Wikimedia Commons