DALLAS – At the former Minyard grocery store on East Ledbetter Drive in Oak Cliff, the familiar store signs have come down. Workers are now installing new "Cash Saver" logos outside and inside the building.
"Someone told me that the doors are closed, and that they are opening tomorrow under a new name," said regular Minyard shopper Ola Donalson.
She was among the customers being turned away from the store on Wednesday. Those shoppers learned their neighborhood grocery is in the middle of rebranding some of its stores.
"I hope it's as good as Minyards," said Donalson. "I'm not sure if they'll be that good."
This week, Minyard Food Stores will begin introducing Cash Saver — A Cost Plus Food Outlet in the Dallas area.
"We want to challenge Southern Dallas to come in and take a look," said Minyard Food Stores operations manager Stephen Jackson Sr. as he showcased a variety of fresh produce. "This is what you get under the Cash Saver model."
Jackson said the East Ledbetter store is among the locations Minyard is transforming into Cash Saver markets across Southern Dallas. Former Minyard stores at Camp Wisdom Road and Polk Street; Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; and Bluegrove Road in Lancaster are also being rebranded as Cash Saver.
"We've heard for a long time the cries of southern Dallas County: Prices are too high. You know all of your prices are high. We've heard that," Jackson said.
He explained that Cash Saver shoppers will buy everything at cost and save about 17 percent on groceries, but some city leaders have concerns.
"We're concerned — one — with the perception," said City Council member Casey Thomas. "'Cost Saver.' It just doesn't sound like something that is going to be beneficial to our community."
Oak Cliff-area Council member Carolyn King Arnold said she has also been hearing from community members who are curious about the change.
"They are not happy about it. It really amounts to what we believe is redlining," she said, referring to the practice of limiting services in certain neighborhoods.
Minyard Food Stores also operates the Sun Fresh Market chain. Critics question why that brand was not chosen for the Minyard locations under transition.
Jackson said the company did its research and determined Cash Saver was a viable option for its consumers who were asking about change.
"The markup in the Sun Fresh area is basically retail," Jackson explained. "It's 22, 23, 24 percent. Under the Cash Saver model, there is no markup."
Jackson said Cash Saver will offer everything shoppers love at Minyard and Sun Fresh, but at lower prices. He said the move to a discount model also means Minyard will hire more than 61 workers.
The new Cash Saver at East Ledbetter and Lancaster Road will open January 28. The Camp Wisdom and Polk location will open as Cash Saver next week.
City Council members say they will be discussing their concerns with the mayor and with the the CEO of Minyard Food Stores.
