Portage Meat & Market will close soon after serving South Bend’s near-northwest side for the past two years.

"I mean, kind of sad. We don't have nothing in the neighborhood. That's the most convenient grocery market we have around here," resident Corvelous Malone said.

Martin’s Super Markets opened the newly formatted store in October 2017, replacing the chain's first store at Elwood and Portage.

"I was kind of disappointed when Martin's left, but now that we still have this one, it is still nice," resident Peggy Ndrano said.

"Martin's was here and they took that away from us, and now y'all want to take this away," Malone said.

Residents said the closure will impact the neighborhood.

Some said they do not have transportation to get to other stores, while others said the store kept the area going.

"I think it's going to affect a lot of people because, like I said, this has been here for a long time and very nice that you come here and it's close by. I don't know what else to say, but it's going to be sad," Ndrano said.

The store offered a variety of fresh meat and produce, as well as general items.

"I hope it's another grocery store, yes, because we have these little, little stores, convenience stores, but it ain't the same when you have to get your meat and your bread and your milk," Ndrano said.

"They have a lot of things here that you need. They need this stuff," another resident Mitchell Freeman said.

Portage Meat & Market is scheduled to close in late January.





The following statement is from Amy Simeri McClellan, SVP Martin’s Super Markets and Division VP, Retail, SpartanNash: