Demonstrators upset with St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store opening in Greenfield

MILWAUKEE-- Demonstrators outside the St. Vincent De Paul Headquarters Wednesday are upset with the non-profit opening a thrift store in Greenfield instead of North Central Milwaukee.



St. Vincent De Paul Society once operated a store on North 18th and Fond Du Lac.



\"It was a very big loss,\" said Theresa Williams, a demonstrator.



Located across the street from Feeding America, the old store in North Central Milwaukee was located in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the city.



\"St. Vincent De Paul we need that store there, so those families can get their needs met,\" said Williams.



St. Vincent De Paul Society announced plans to open a new store inside an old Wal-Mart in Greenfield earlier this year. 



\"Without this revenue stream-- we won't have any operation,\" said E. Michael McCann, who is on St. Vicent De Paul Society's Board of Directors.



McCann says while there is a big need for a store on Milwaukee's north side, the society needed to open a store where the non-profit could make money to stay afloat.



\"In terms of what we'll do next in stores-- we'll look at the North Side,\" he said.



Demonstrators say the average income in Greenfield is about twice the average income in North Central Milwaukee, and for some families, there's no way for them to get to greenfield or the existing store.



\"They may not have access to a car, or a ride, they may have to take the city bus,\" said Williams.



Bus fare may not seem like much, but demonstrators say, some families in need can't even afford that.



\"There are people who are struggling in the area that I live in,\" said Williams.