Grocery store in West Jackson plans to close. Here's what you need to know

"When I come to make groceries during the week, I don't just make them for myself; I make them for others in need every so often," said Tameka Harper in the wake of the news that a local grocery store is permanently closing in West Jackson on Friday.

Harper, 58, of Jackson, has been a customer of Food Depot 3188 W. Northside Drive for 15 years and believes closing the store will have a devastating impact to the neighborhood.

"I hate to see the store close, but maybe this is God's way of giving us something better," Harper said. "We don't know what's coming next, but I'd go to Kroger after the store closes."

After the May 3 announcement that the store plans to close, the shelves appeared to have been ransacked by Tuesday morning.

Several employees confirmed the grocery store would be closing on Friday, May 12. Employees also said they were concerned about what to do after the store closes.

Customers said having the convenience of a grocery store nearby saves time and money.

The nearest grocery store is a Kroger at 4910 I-55, which is a 5.6-mile drive from the closing Food Depot and would be a 1-hour-and-47-minute walk.

Willis Magee, 63, of Jackson, said hearing the news about the grocery store permanently closing was heartbreaking.

"This store is a monument for our community and has been for quite some time," Magee said. "This is our main source of grocery shopping despite receiving bad connotations for the location. I can get my bread, milk, eggs and other goods all in one place for a great and lower price than Kroger on the other side of town."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: A local grocery store in West Jackson MS is preparing to close.