Days after Safeway announced two supermarkets in Colorado Springs will close this fall, part of the company's broader plans to shutter 10 stores statewide, the community is bracing for the ripple effect the closures will have.

When learning of the news last week, one shopper stood with her jaw open in disbelief. Many shoppers at the Safeway located near the intersection of Murray and East Fountain boulevards offered only few words, mainly that it was troubling to see the store go.

For those with vehicles, there are other ready options nearby on South Academy Boulevard.

Others find themselves in a so-called food desert, with few grocery shopping options in easy reach — impacting their personal time and their wallets as they trek farther away from home for food, said Yevgeniya "Yev" Tsy

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