Youngstown gives up trying to find grocer for Bottom Dollar on South Side

YOUNGSTOWN — Unable to attract interest from a company to open a grocery store at the former Bottom Dollar supermarket on Glenwood Avenue, the city has agreed to a short-term lease of the property with a gourmet candy business.

The city is also having preliminary negotiations with a business to provide access to health care at that South Side location, said T. Sharon Woodberry, director of community planning and economic development. She declined to disclose the company.

“It’s very promising, but we haven’t finalized anything,” she said.

The goal for the city since Bottom Dollar closed in January 2015, after the chain was sold to ALDI Inc., was to replace it with another grocery store.

“We did not get interest from anyone who wanted to build a grocery store at that location,” Woodberry said. “We got some leads with grocery stores that have an urban presence. But ultimately it didn’t result in a proposal.”

The city sought proposals for the location twice – coming up empty the first time and getting two proposals last month.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com