Mayor Johnson Hosts Roundtable with Grocery Store Owners

In response to the abrupt closures of several local grocery stores, I convened a roundtable with local grocers to have an honest conversation about the future of neighborhood grocery stores in Milwaukee. I was joined by Commissioner Crump from the Department of City Development and Commissioner Totoraitis from the Milwaukee Health Department. The discussion was thoughtful and wide-ranging, covering issues from rising operating costs to safety concerns and the challenges of keeping fresh food accessible in every part of our city.

Despite the variety of topics raised, one theme remained consistent: these grocery store owners deeply love our community and are working incredibly hard to keep their doors open. This roundtable strengthened our understanding of the challenges they face and how the City can be a stronger partner in supporting them. My focus is on turning this conversation into action to help keep these essential businesses open and ensure Milwaukee residents continue to have access to quality food.

February 2026