South Shore's Beloved Community Store on Brink of Closure as Property Tax Hikes Bite Hard
A small business in the heart of South Shore has found itself on the front lines of gentrification fears, with a community store struggling to stay afloat after its landlord put the property up for sale. Mama Africa's Marketplace, owned by Lakiesha Williams, has been a staple in the neighborhood for five years, providing African cultural products and a vital space for local organizations.
The building's owner, John Lewis, increased the rent from $700 to over $1,100 per month as property tax bills skyrocketed 255% between 2022 and 2025. With taxes now set at $58,592, Lewis put the property on the market, sparking a community-led effort to save the store. However, it appears that efforts may not be enough.
The sale of the property has been finalized, with Eli Williamson's nonprofit organization, Leave No Veteran Behind, securing the building for $550,000. The deal came as a shock to Williams, who claims she was only informed in December that her lease wouldn't be renewed. While Williamson disputes this account, stating they reached out to provide alternative locations, community members are concerned about the potential displacement of long-time residents.
"It's just not humane," Williams said, expressing disappointment and frustration with the way the situation unfolded. "I had a meeting with him on Christmas Day, and he told me I'd have to leave in two weeks' time...It could have been handled differently."
Williams raised $25,000 in an effort to purchase the property but fell short of the required $100,000 cash. A GoFundMe launched during this period has since collected over $16,000, however.
The store's fate raises questions about the impact of high property taxes on local businesses and the long-term viability of community-led initiatives. With the Obama Presidential Center set to open nearby in June, concerns are growing that the influx of new investment will further exacerbate the issue, pushing out existing residents and small business owners.
"It was supposed to be a space for us to serve the community," Williams said, reflecting on the closure of her store. "But it seems like it's become a symbol of gentrification...I'm just trying to find another place, but it feels like I'll never be able to replicate what we had here."
A small business in the heart of South Shore has found itself on the front lines of gentrification fears, with a community store struggling to stay afloat after its landlord put the property up for sale. Mama Africa's Marketplace, owned by Lakiesha Williams, has been a staple in the neighborhood for five years, providing African cultural products and a vital space for local organizations.
The building's owner, John Lewis, increased the rent from $700 to over $1,100 per month as property tax bills skyrocketed 255% between 2022 and 2025. With taxes now set at $58,592, Lewis put the property on the market, sparking a community-led effort to save the store. However, it appears that efforts may not be enough.
The sale of the property has been finalized, with Eli Williamson's nonprofit organization, Leave No Veteran Behind, securing the building for $550,000. The deal came as a shock to Williams, who claims she was only informed in December that her lease wouldn't be renewed. While Williamson disputes this account, stating they reached out to provide alternative locations, community members are concerned about the potential displacement of long-time residents.
"It's just not humane," Williams said, expressing disappointment and frustration with the way the situation unfolded. "I had a meeting with him on Christmas Day, and he told me I'd have to leave in two weeks' time...It could have been handled differently."
Williams raised $25,000 in an effort to purchase the property but fell short of the required $100,000 cash. A GoFundMe launched during this period has since collected over $16,000, however.
The store's fate raises questions about the impact of high property taxes on local businesses and the long-term viability of community-led initiatives. With the Obama Presidential Center set to open nearby in June, concerns are growing that the influx of new investment will further exacerbate the issue, pushing out existing residents and small business owners.
"It was supposed to be a space for us to serve the community," Williams said, reflecting on the closure of her store. "But it seems like it's become a symbol of gentrification...I'm just trying to find another place, but it feels like I'll never be able to replicate what we had here."
mama africa's marketplace has been a staple in the community for 5 years and now they're being pushed out by greedy landlords who don't care about the people 
property taxes have gone thru the roof and john lewis just raised the rent from $700 to over $1100 per month, that's like doubling it 
lakiesha williams was only informed in dec that her lease wouldn't be renewed and she even put up a gofundme for $25k but fell short 
now the property is sold to some nonprofit org for $550k and it's just so unfair 
i mean i get that taxes have to rise, but not like this, it's not humane 
the community is coming together to try and save the store but it feels like it's already too late 
we gotta think about the impact of gentrification on our communities and how it's affecting small businesses and long-time residents 
what's next for mama africa's marketplace? will they find a new home or will this be another casualty of the gentrification game? 
! It's like, they're doing everything right - providing a space for the community and all - but property tax hikes are just killing them 
. I feel like we need to come up with a more sustainable solution for small business owners and community-led initiatives #SaveMamaAfricasMarketplace #GentrificationIsReal #SupportLocalBusinesses 
i get that landlords gotta make a living too, but 255% increase in just 3 yrs?!? that's wild 
maybe this can be an opportunity for new businesses & ppl to come in & try out a different vibe 
lakiesha williams had $25k & her community raised another $16k... that's like, what, $41k?!? it just goes 2 show how much the property tax hike has taken its toll on small biz owners 
. 255% increase in property taxes is insane 
the struggle is real for Mama Africa's Marketplace 
they've been a staple in the neighborhood for 5 yrs & now they're being pushed out by skyrocketing property taxes 
and to make matters worse, the new owner is a nonprofit org but it still feels like gentrification 
let's rally together & find a way to save Mama Africa's Marketplace