Walmart announced on Tuesday that it plans to close its Neighborhood Market store in St. Petersburg based on a number of factors, including financial performance. Residents who live nearby that Midtown location said there’s a number of reasons they avoid the only grocery store in their area.

“I feel unsafe,” said Saudia Cason. “It’s not good customer service.”

Many residents said there’s not enough security to deal with aggressive panhandlers and transients that harass customers at the store located at 1794 22nd Street South.

“They just hang out here and want money and stuff,” said Nita Gray. “They go inside, put stuff in their bag and go.”

“There’s a guy that’s been out there all morning with his shirt off, walking around,” said Donald Scott.

Another reason residents said they’ll drive to the Walmart at 34th Street S. to do their big shopping is because it has more products to offer.

“This one, it doesn’t have everything and I only come to this one, like today, I need to pick up one item,” said Barbara Smith. “Other than that, I would go to the big Walmart because it’s a super center and I can get everything at one time.”

City Council member Karl Nurse said the low traffic flow on 22nd Street S. also likely contributes to the lack of customers. Walmart is scheduled to close the store in early March. A spokesman for Mayor Rick Kriseman said the city feels the frustration of residents and is working to lure another supermarket.