Hailey
For Marquita Taylor, a simple visit to her local grocery store became an emotional moment. She was stunned to find only a single tomato left in the produce section—an image symbolic of the deeper struggles facing her community.
KC Sun Fresh, located on Kansas City’s East Side, was once hailed as a major victory for residents who had endured years without a reliable supermarket.
Since its grand opening seven years ago, the store has served as a rare access point for fresh, healthy food in a long-neglected urban neighborhood.
Store Now Struggles With Crime and Declining Customers
Today, that optimism has faded. The store, housed in a city-owned strip mall, now grapples with an overwhelming set of challenges.
According to shoppers, safety concerns are mounting despite the presence of police patrols. Incidents of drug activity, theft, and loitering—both inside the store and around the nearby public library—are driving customers away.
Residents, who once championed the store’s arrival, are now reluctant to return, fearing for their personal safety. As a result, KC Sun Fresh’s customer base has shrunk dramatically.
Massive Financial Losses and Bare Shelves
The store’s financial struggles have deepened. Last year alone, KC Sun Fresh reported a loss of $885,000. Weekly foot traffic has dropped to just 4,000 shoppers, a sharp decline from the 14,000 weekly visitors it once served just a few years ago.
Despite the city’s effort to keep the store afloat—injecting $750,000 in emergency funding—the support hasn’t reversed its decline.
The store’s shelves remain sparsely stocked, intensifying frustration among local residents who rely on it for groceries.
Leadership’s Call for Urgent Solutions
Emmet Pierson Jr., president and CEO of Community Builders of Kansas City—the nonprofit managing the lease from the city—expressed deep concern over the situation.
“We’re in a dire situation,” Pierson said.
Pierson’s remarks underscore the severity of the crisis facing KC Sun Fresh and, by extension, the broader East Side community that depends on it.
Broader Implications for Food Access and Urban Investment
The potential closure of KC Sun Fresh raises serious questions about food insecurity, urban reinvestment, and sustainable public-private partnerships. The store was envisioned as a cornerstone of community revitalization, a model for addressing food deserts in underserved neighborhoods.
If it closes, residents could once again face limited access to fresh produce and essential groceries, further deepening socioeconomic divides.
KC Sun Fresh was more than just a grocery store—it was a symbol of hope and progress for Kansas City’s East Side. Now, with safety concerns, plummeting foot traffic, and financial losses threatening its survival, the store’s future hangs in the balance.
The city, store operators, and community stakeholders must act swiftly to find a solution—before one more tomato becomes a sign of what’s been lost.