A longstanding Shelby County grocery store that caters to the area’s Hispanic community could be closed by Pelham city leaders next month.
The city of Pelham has set a public hearing to revoke the business license for Mi Pueblo, a supermarket that has been in Pelham for 20 years.
While both the city and the store confirm the hearing, details remain murky over why the business is in jeopardy. Neither the city nor Mi Pueblo is saying much about the reason for the Sept. 8 revocation hearing.
“The city has an obligation to its citizens to ensure that the laws and ordinances of the city and the state of Alabama are followed by all the city’s citizens, both individual and corporate,” Assistant City Manager Justin Smith said in a statement to AL.com. “When an entity in Pelham is not in compliance with the laws and ordinances of the city or the state, city staff works diligently to assist those entities in ensuring they are in compliance.”
The non-compliance is not a matter of public safety, city officials said. Meanwhile, the business remains open and operating as normal.
Smith said the business is aware of the issues that need to be resolved, and the city has communicated with the owners both before and after the notice was issued.
He stressed that the city rules are being enforced “fairly, equitably, and uniformly for the benefit of all businesses, citizens, and residents of Pelham.”
“The city has communicated fairly and diligently with the entity on the steps necessary to achieve compliance,” Smith said. “We are hopeful that a successful resolution to this matter can be reached before the hearing date and look forward to working with Mi Pueblo in that regard.”
Mi Pueblo Supermarket CEO Dulce Victoria Rivera said in a statement that her business is in talks with the city to resolve issues.
“Mi Pueblo values its long-standing relationship with the city, and we are confident that through collaboration we will continue to serve as a trusted part of the community for many years to come,” she said.
Threats to the store generated conversation on social media as fans commented on Mi Pueblo’s Facebook page. Customers offered support – and questions for the store.
“What exactly are they accusing you guys of doing?” one poster wrote. “I can’t find the answer to that question anywhere! Will you please share with us?”
Others described the store as a valuable amenity, particularly to the area’s Hispanic population.
“Thank you for supporting and maintaining an atmosphere that reminds us of our homelands,” one poster wrote in Spanish. “In this country that doesn’t love us, the existence of places like Mi Pueblo Supermarket is a reminder that we are better with tolerance and diversity.”
Several writers said they planned to attend the hearing.
“You have so much support and it’s amazing to see the impact Mi Pueblo has had over 20 years,” another poster wrote. “From feeding families in need to being a gathering place for celebrations, your commitment to the community is truly inspiring.”
Mi Pueblo Supermarket describes itself as the largest multicultural store in Alabama with products from Mexico, Central and South America. The store also has a location in Homewood.