West Philly Shoprite Closing, Owner Blames Soda Tax: Reports

PHILADELPHIA – The Shoprite on Haverford Avenge in West Philadelphia is closing in March, and the owner is blaming the city's soda tax, according to reports.

Philly.com reports the store will close on March 14 and Jeff Brown, president and CEO of Brown’s Superstores Inc., said it's because of the sugary beverage tax.

"This store is closing because of Jim Kenney’s beverage tax," Brown told the outlet Wednesday.

According to Action News, the store's revenue is down 20 percent.

The tax puts an additional 1.5 cent on each ounce of a sugary beverage, and the revenue generated by the tax is used to fund schools.

"Since the tax took effect, wage tax revenues in the sectors most affected by the tax have been strong, while unemployment claims in those sectors have been down," Kenney spokesman Mike Dunn told WHYY. "And the city has been fortunate to have seen the opening of several groceries and markets since the tax took effect – including, most recently, the largest-ever Wawa."

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