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Katherine Short lives near downtown Chattanooga. She does not drive and says her only choices to grocery shop are Buheler's Market and dollar stores.
Short, "We really need more stores downtown so we a variety to pick from. This is the only place we have to come except going to Bi-Lo and that's way down."
Short refers to the Bi-Lo supermarket in St. Elmo, her next closest grocery store. While it's only a few miles away by car, Short depends on others to help her get around.
Short, "If you don't drive actually it is far, there are people who will give you a ride and will take whatever you can give them."
Sue Lynn lives nearby at Jaycee Towers. She can't walk too far and says she doesn't know what she and others would do if Buehler's closed it's doors.
Lynn, "They'd be hurting, paying about ten or twenty dollars to get someone to take me to the store in Red Bank."
Julia Taylor of the Urban League says a lack of convenient shopping options can also lead people to make unhealthy food choices.
Julia Taylor, Urban League, "That could a great barrier to why some women choose not to eat healthy. You don't have those options like Greenlife or Wal-Mart, they're probably in a ten mile radius but if you don't have a car that is a problem."
Taylor says the Urban League tries to help people make better choices by offering nutrition and cooking classes.
Taylor, "Even thought it's out there, many don't know what it takes to make that healthy souffle or chicken breast or whatever."
Katherine Short enjoys shopping at Buehler's, but says a little variety would be nice.
Downtown developers say as more people move downtown, a supermarket could be in the future. Many chains blame parking and logistics as reasons why they don't build in downtown areas.
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