Earlier this year the Food Co-op put its plans to build its grocery store put on hold due to the news that Wilmington officials had sold a nearby site for the construction of a larger grocery store. While the co-op says it has not given up on its plan to build a store, it wishes to revisit the when and where as well as looking at ideas on how to ensure adequate foot traffic.
The executive director of Northside Food Co-op, Cierra Williams explained:
“It’s our responsibility as a co-op based on the trust we built with the community that we build something that is sustainable. In terms of potential foot traffic and ultimately if you don’t have those things your store won’t survive.”
Options being considered are moving the store location to a different part of Northside or perhaps including a hot food counter.
Banner printing services help new retailers establish themselves.
The temporary hold on building will provide time to gather community input on the best path forward. The Co-op still has the support of the New Hanover County Endowment and the county; at the end of the month, they will submit their final recommendation to the Co-op.
A community dinner will be hosted by Northside Food Co-op 6-8pm on April 24 at 901 Fanning Street, Wilmington.