AUC Students Will Remain Impacted by Closing of Vine City Walmart

Janaidy Ruiz
Apr 4, 2024
2 min read

Photo: Axios

Words: Janaidy Ruiz

Students in the AUC will regain access to the Walmart on 835 Martin Luther King Dr. sometime in May 2024. Now equipped with an Atlanta Police substation, students can hope to no longer be impacted by the actions that led to the closing of the supercenter in December 2022. In the year that Walmart has been in reconstruction, Vine City has sunk further into food desert territory. This status makes it difficult for AUC students, and the rest of the Vine City community, to access fresh food and essential convenience items. “I didn’t realize how much I took having a Walmart across the street for granted until it was gone. I have to go out of my way to get a lot of my food.” said a Clark Atlanta student on the impact of the closing.

What have (and can) Clark Atlanta students do until May 2024?

May 2024 may feel far, but here are some tips for utilizing your campus to keep those bellies full:

Head to Mimi’s Pantry–Open on Tuesday-Thursday from 12-2 p.m. and 4-5 p.m., Mimi’s Pantry is a nonprofit organization with the Lowery Institute that provides students with a variety of fresh and frozen produce as well as necessary hygiene products, among other things. The Lowery institutes will hold a “Pre-Spring Break Block Party” on March 6, 2024, from 12-3 p.m., where a Kroger truck will be on campus providing students with groceries! Stay updated with Mimi’s Pantry by following their Instagram @mimispantryauc_
Make the most of your meal plan! CAU uses Sodexo My Way to allow students to view menus and business hours of on-campus dining options such as the Crogman Campus Eatery, Jazzman’s Cafe, and more. Students can decide whether a swipe on their PAW Card is worth the trip before making their way.
Speak up! The best way to ensure that the student body is well taken care of is to advocate for yourself. Crogman Campus Eatery Student Ambassador, Madison McCoy, urges students to “use the commentary cards in the cafe to let us know what can be done, but don’t be afraid to say hi and use me as a messenger.”