City-funded Missouri grocery store—like those Mamdani proposes for NYC—shutters after viral footage showed rotting produce, empty shelves

Kansas City's Sun Fresh Market opened in 2018 as part of a revitalization plan in the region costing millions, but it has shuttered its doors after footage went viral showing the grocery store's bare shelves and rotting produce.

The grocery store project on the corner of Linwood Boulevard and Prospect Avenue has been open since 2018, but not anymore. A sign posted outside the store stated, “Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we are no longer, at this time, able to serve the residents of this community," per KSHB.

“It has always been our dream and passion to provide quality products and services in a safe, family environment. At this time, unfortunately, we are unable to do that," the sign added. The nonprofit Community Builders of Kansas City (CBKC) took ownership of the store in 2022 after it was launched in a private and public effort at the local Linwood Shopping Center in 2018.

"As of Aug. 12, 2025, CBKC is no longer able to serve the residents from this Midtown Sun Fresh location," CBKC said. "We have no other comments at this time." There have been security concerns in the store since its opening, with officials vowing to install security upgrades and pledging thousands to fix the issue. However, last month, customers became frustrated over the foul odor coming from the store as well as the bare shelves.

In recent weeks, some customers were not able to purchase everything that they needed, with customer Jannine Owens telling reporters, "We need answers because at the end of the day, that don't make sense."

Mamdani has planned a similar policy in New York City, with several locations for publicly-funded grocery stores, which critics have said will not work as an option. Mamdani reportedly based his policy for funding the stores on figures on the New York City government website that he did not read properly.