Springs Neighborhood Loses Hispanic Grocery Store
A Colorado Springs neighborhood loses its only grocery store, leaving many to wonder why development has stalled.
One of the selling points of the Spring Creek development near Circle Drive and Monterey Road was that it would be within walking distance of several retail stores. Several years later though, much of that land hasn’t been developed.
Homeowners in the Spring Creek development said they were told businesses would be built at the back end of their community along Union Boulevard and Monterey. That stretch was never built by the developer. A coffee shop that was built in the neighborhood in the shape of a gazebo closed and a church moved in. One homeowner said she’s disappointed that the store failed because having fresh produce less than a mile away from home was a plus.
The anchor of the Spring Creek shopping center, Rancho Liborio, closed in February. The specialty grocery, focusing on Hispanic food and products, initially told customers they were closed for remodeling. Since then, the parent company for Rancho Liborio has filed for bankruptcy.
Loyal shoppers are frustrated by developers ignoring the south side of town.
“Mostly everything is up north and I would say more east but for people that live in this southern, western side it’s like everything is really spread apart,” said Crystal George, who said she preferred shopping at Rancho Liborio because of convenience and its selection of butchered meat.
“They had their own butcher so every day it was fresh and they had reasonable prices,” said George.
Other store owners said they hope another grocery store moves. Some had speculated Walmart may be interested in developing one of their neighborhood stores that focuses on food and medication in the location vacated by Rancho Liborio.
