Store Closures In Long Beach Following City's New Grocery Worker Pay Mandate

Ralphs and Food 4 Less have announced plans to close grocery stores in the city of Long Beach, in the wake of elected officials voting to require a temporary $4-per-hour pay bump for local grocery workers.

The grocery chains, both part of The Kroger Co., issued a statement on Monday saying two stores will permanently close on April 17. Ralphs will shut down its store at 3380 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal and Food 4 Less will close a location at 2185 E. South Street.

In the emailed statement, a company spokesperson laid blame for the closures squarely on Long Beach's city council.

"The irreparable harm that will come to employees and local citizens as a direct result of the City of Long Beach's attempt to pick winners and losers, is deeply unfortunate," the spokesperson said. "We are truly saddened that our associates and customers will ultimately be the real victims of the city council's actions."