MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Cash Saver in South Memphis is officially open for business.
The area has been an at-risk food desert after a Kroger closed in that same location earlier this year.
Shoppers couldn’t wait to come to the new grocery in the Southgate Center at 1977 S. Third St.
The grand opening was hosted Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. There was a ribbon-cutting at 4:15 p.m.
Mayor Jim Strickland and City Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. were on hand for the event, which featured giveaways and an opportunity to register to win $100 in groceries.
“It’s a great crowd and there’s been a lot of high-fives and a lot of hugs going around,” owner Rick James said.
The excitement runs deeper than good deals on fresh produce.
“I don’t have to catch the bus and go way cross town anymore,” shopper Letta Washington said.
The building’s been empty since Kroger closed in February.
“A lot of times, when a grocery store leaves an inner-city location, it never gets used as a grocery store again,” James said.
They opened the doors last Tuesday so their new employees could have time to adjust before today’s grand opening.
Nearly 100 percent of those employees are all from the area, bringing more opportunity to South Memphis.
“I’m going to be shopping here each and every day,” shopper Deola Moore said.
This will be the fifth Memphis-area location for Cash Saver.