Grocery store in downtown Montgomery shutters

Downtown Montgomery’s sole grocery store is closed after the owner was locked out over overdue rent, triggering a community fundraising push.

Downtown Montgomery loses only grocery store as owner seeks help

Knicker Knacker Market has served downtown Montgomery for nearly two decades. The owner, Rob Dean, who immigrated to Alabama from the Bahamas, ran a shop with a broad mix of goods that locals relied on. In recent years sales declined and he faced issues with the IRS. Because of overdue rent, he is locked out with all inventory inside and says he needs 17 000 dollars just to regain access. He has lived on Lee Street for 13 years and says the community’s support matters for the store to survive.

Residents like Lisa Busler, who uses a wheelchair, say the loss of the store leaves a critical gap. She notes that there is nowhere else downtown to shop and that the store is a lifeline for people who cannot easily travel far. Busler recalls the owner’s generosity toward customers who could not afford full prices and says she plans to donate once she clears her own bills.

The closure reveals how a downtown neighborhood can hinge on one small business. When a store is the only grocery option, its fate affects mobility for residents who cannot drive long distances. The combination of rent pressure and unresolved IRS issues shows how personal finance problems can threaten local service pillars.

This case also raises questions about what a city should do to help essential small businesses, including immigrant-owned ones, that serve vulnerable residents. A community fundraising effort is a common but imperfect remedy. Long term solutions may require coordinated support from lenders, city agencies, and nonprofit groups to keep small neighborhood stores from disappearing as a core part of downtown life.

Highlights

Community action can keep a neighborhood store from becoming history.