The State of Convenience Stores in Impoverished Neighborhoods
Today, convenience stores on the West Side and in other low-income areas of Columbus often exploit residents and make life more difficult for hardworking people who don't have a vehicle to travel to places like Kroger, Walmart or Aldi. These stores are often located in food deserts that are crime infested. Instead of serving the community, these chains of grocery stores often operate illicit activities that exacerbate the challenges of local residents and the nonprofits that protect and serve vulnerable populations. Illicit activities are rampant, yet politicians and law enforcement officials frequently fail to address these problems in a timely manner. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “The truth shall set you free.” Unfortunately, the reality on the frontlines is far from liberating, as we see the hurt of those we serve, including the children being groomed for addiction and prostitution.
Poverty Pimps and Negligent Landlords
The term "poverty pimps" does not only apply to certain nonprofits that receive continuous funding from foundations and government sources, despite their role in perpetuating the suffering within the community. The issue extends to local and out-of-state slum landlords who neglect their properties, relying on property management companies to provide only superficial fixes. Many of these buildings are infested with roaches and rats and children are forced to live in these deplorable conditions which lead to respiratory problems and parasitic skin infections. Basements with black mold. Drains backing up. Social issues are widespread, with limited financial resources available. Landlords target section eight tenants near convenience stores that overcharge and take their EBT funds, resulting in transactions being processed out of state. As a result, families are left without money to feed their children for a month. Prosecuting these grocery store fraudsters with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act charge is as slow as molasses. The Franklin County Commissioner, Erica Crawley, City Attorney, Columbus Police Department (CPD) detectives, and Job and Family Services are aware and still no one has been prosecuted as of yet especially with the EBT scams.
Price Gouging and Unfair Practices
An obvious case of exploitation occurs in stores such as Speedy Drive Thru and Smoke, where a gallon of milk costs $5.05 and a dozen eggs are priced at $4.99. At the same time, a beer can, and condom are sold for $1. Due to inflation, a single cigarette cost 0.50 cents. Cleaning agents are also marked up to astronomical prices. It is a common practice for store owners to purchase items from larger food retailers such as Kroger, Walmart, and Dollar General, only to resell them in local neighborhoods at double the cost. Do you see anything convenient about these markets and grocery stores? Many of these convenient store owners are related and often foreigners who achieve the American dream by exploitation in the area.
Illicit Sales and Community Safety Concerns
Some convenience stores go beyond price gouging, engaging in the sale of drugs and paraphernalia to children. For instance, M & J Carryout near police precinct 19 has been reported to sell blunts to minors. Street-level marijuana is dangerous, and it is often laced with dangerous substances such as fentanyl, resulting in erratic behavior among youth. The process of prosecuting these business owners through the City Attorney's office is slow and cumbersome, leaving the community vulnerable. Despite reaching out to law enforcement, action is seldom swift or effective. Unfortunately trap houses around these inconvenient stores are harboring runaway minors.
Case Study: Herbert’s Market
Last year Herbert’s Market served as a prime example of an "inconvenient store" under investigation for selling stolen goods. When notified by the city attorney’s office, the owner was conveniently out of the country. The store is surrounded by illicit activity, which negatively impacts neighboring businesses as customers are deterred by the visible drug activity and prostitution. Rosco Market on the Hilltop for years sold drugs inside and outside. Grace was extended by the city attorney office to clean their act on the verge of losing their liquor license. However, there are still drug dealers selling out of their parking lot. Many grocery stores throughout Columbus are selling drugs because it is easy since there are no consequences. Community advocates living in food deserts neighborhoods must confront these bad business practices with the Attorney General. These stores need to be shut down. Herbert’s market is now under scrutiny because it inherited several of the illegal activities that were taking place at the Sanctuary Night Drop-In Center.
Targeting Youth: Drug Paraphernalia and Vaping
A major concern is the sale of drug paraphernalia featuring superhero imagery and the distribution of vapes to minors. Children in these neighborhoods are increasingly exposed to and ingest chemicals such as THC, CBD, nicotine, and other addictive and carcinogenic substances with attractive scents. This trend is alarming, as it is likely to lead to a surge in chronic illnesses such as COPD, heart attacks, gastrointestinal issues, strokes, mental health disorders, and various forms of cancer among teens in the coming years.
Recent trends indicate an alarming rise in the use of vapes and nicotine gum among children and adolescents. Vaping devices often market colorful cartoons and common candy packaging with fun flavors. They are easily accessible like flavored cigars and cigarettes in many convenience stores, sometimes even those located near schools. Nicotine gum, originally intended to help adults quit smoking, is now being used by some youths as a discreet way to consume nicotine, bypassing traditional tobacco products. Studies have shown that early exposure to nicotine through these products can lead to addiction, negatively affecting brain development, attention, and impulse control in young people. Furthermore, both vaping and nicotine gum use can serve as gateways to other substance abuse and pose long-term health risks. M&J Carryout has been an issue for selling weed and vapes to minors. There are a few trap houses around that area as well that allow minors to stay. Minors may be vulnerable to sexual exploitation because of substance dependency. Furthermore, reports indicate concerning incidences of drug sales occurring in Columbus middle schools located on the West Side.
Convenience stores that sell vaping products and nicotine gum without adequate age verification contribute to this growing public health issue. The lack of strict regulation and oversight by law enforcement and the City Attorney’s office, especially in marginalized neighborhoods, allows children to purchase these items with little resistance. Health experts and community advocates stress the importance of stronger enforcement of age restrictions and educational campaigns to inform parents and children about the dangers of nicotine addiction and the deceptive marketing tactics used by some retailers. According to the National Institute of Health a single JUUL pod can deliver nicotine equivalent to a pack of 20 cigarettes, though vaping often delivers less nicotine per puff than smoking. While a cigarette typically provides systemically absorbed nicotine, vaping is highly variable with some devices having the nicotine equivalent of 20 to 600 cigarettes. Incorporating this research highlights the urgent need for community intervention and policy reform to protect vulnerable youth from the harms associated with vaping and nicotine gum. Addressing these issues at the local level, alongside efforts to combat illicit drug sales and price gouging, can help foster a safer and healthier environment for children, teenagers and adults.
Dispensaries and Changing Neighborhood Dynamics
Since recreational marijuana was legalized, dispensaries have become more noticeable than convenience stores in low-income neighborhoods, selling products like flavored and gummy cannabis. They have become more visible than in the grocery stores. The only difference is that the price of weed is much more controlled than the necessities sold in the grocery stores. Some of them are located walking distance from elementary schools. Planet Puff is close to Borough Elementary School. Adult marijuana use has been associated with more risky behaviors, such as hazardous driving on local roads and freeways. On several occasions, strong odors of marijuana have permeated public spaces, highlighting changing norms and potential safety risks. There are some drivers in Columbus who are putting long incense sticks in their vehicle vents to cover up unpleasant smells of weed. There are too many dispensaries in poor communities, especially on the west side off Sullivant Ave and West Broad Street. A letter was provided to the City Attorney to help extend the 500-foot distance requirement between dispensaries and schools or nonprofits like ours in Columbus, Ohio. According to Section 3780.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, it states that both medical and recreational (adult-use) marijuana dispensaries must be located at least 500 feet away from the boundaries of a parcel of real estate containing a school, church, public library, public playground, or public park. The 500-foot rule is insufficient; it should be increased to over 1,000 feet.
It is illegal for convenient stores to be dispensaries for weed and other drugs and paraphernalia. According to “Ohio Revised Code Section 2925.14, which addresses the illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, it is clearly stated that this practice is not permitted. (2) No person shall knowingly sell, or possess or manufacture with purpose to sell, drug paraphernalia, if the person knows or should know that the equipment, product, or material will be used as drug paraphernalia.” So WHY do store owners, unlike other women or men, are treated differently regarding possession of drug paraphernalia? Columbus criminalizes vulnerable people while allowing perpetrators to profit from those struggling with addiction.
Exploitation and Cultural Issues
Professional price gougers show little regard for the well being of the community and appear untouchable. Reports of business owners exchanging money for sexual favors from vulnerable women further tarnish their reputation. These men often come from cultures with misogynistic practices, and infidelity or polygamy are condoned. The lack of accountability and transparency perpetuates a cycle of exploitation to the street sisters of 1DivineLine2Health desire to help. Their mothers and sisters are raising their children. Imagine your child entering the convenient store Speedy Drive Thru & Smoke across from our center and seeing colorful drug paraphernalia with flashing colorful lights. How would you feel? There must be some form of regulation by the city attorney to STOP these practices. These convenient stores are a part of the problem especially those selling drugs.
Looking Back: Community-Oriented Stores of the Past
In contrast to the current situation, convenience stores in places like the South Bronx once played a positive role in the community. Store owners were actively involved, donating funds and groceries for annual block parties and supporting frequent customers in need. For example, single mothers were allowed to borrow money for essentials, with their names recorded in a notepad as a gesture of trust. They would pay the owners. These stores provided accessible staple foods and cultural items, fostering a sense of community and reliability for residents living in public housing. Some of the owners lived in the community and their children attended the schools with the neighborhood kids.
Instead, what we see are bongs shaped like superheroes such as Captain America. Does Marvel Comics allow patriotic symbols to be used to promote smoking weed, meth, crack, and other dangerous drugs? Did you know that pipes and some other drug paraphernalia cost less than a gallon of milk? It's outrageous, but that's the reality on the West Side. These items are showcased with flashing lights on display. The children that participate in our program and use our playset are exposed to all of this. What has Columbus become? Why are most of the local grocery stores owned by foreigners? Why are they untouchable? They are a part of the problem in a community that is plagued with homelessness, prostitution, addictions, pedophiles, murderers and dangerous people. Neighbors need to rise up and boycott these groceries stores! The city attorney should shut them down.
The Department of Job and Family Services should consider allocating funds to acquire these chains from the environmental court, with the objective of making healthy foods and beverages more accessible and affordable for the public. In addition, give local business owners an opportunity to run these places and provide affordable prices on necessities. America is capitalism with free trade but not to promote dangerous behaviors that affect our community. The West Side will rise once the community, and nonprofits and the old timers are empowered to take back their community. How many of us will protect our children? Distress arises from an identifiable root cause, DRUGS. If we address and remove it ,then change is evitable. Instead of people shouting NIMBY to programs like ours, why not say and boycott these chains of “inconvenient” stores to reform or get the Hell Out.
