PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Grays Ferry community once again has access to its Fresh Grocer supermarket, nearly a week after it was shut down following last Wednesday’s deadly partial collapse of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia parking garage.
The store, on 30th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue, and several surrounding roads reopened on Tuesday for the first time since the April 8 accident that killed three ironworkers, identified by their union as Stepan Shevchuk, Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr. Two other people were injured.
Neighbors like Rose Turner were relieved to see their only grocery store within miles open its doors once again. “It’s wonderful,” she said, adding that she is one of many who rely on the store.
Yolanda, a Fresh Grocer employee, called the reopening of the store a blessing for the community after a devastating week.
“It’s been a mess for the people who really need this market, the elderly and disabled,” she said, “so it’s a great thing that we’re open. We’re putting it out on social media so people know we’re open.”
The Grays Ferry Shopping Center temporarily closed while the Philadelphia Fire Department conducted efforts to find Kane and Scott, who were unaccounted for in the days following the accident. Fire officials said the operation would involve carefully deconstructing the garage from the top down, in order to stabilize it enough for search teams to work safely.
Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on Monday that the bodies of Kane and Scott were found. Shevchuk was pulled from the debris on Wednesday and rushed to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
After such a difficult week, neighbors Gregory and Kia were first in line at 9 a.m. The married couple said they were also happy to hear their local Fresh Grocer was back in business.
“It’s a beautiful day,” Gregory said.
“I’m happy that we have seen such support from the community,” Kia added, “and thankfully we have good people.”
The pair called the store’s reopening a much-needed step in the healing process. Meanwhile, investigations are underway into the cause of the collapse.Neighbors say the Fresh Grocer location at 30th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue is the only grocery store within miles
Neighbors say the Fresh Grocer location at 30th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue is the only grocery store within miles
