When Azalea Contemporary Market opened its doorways in Atlanta’s historic Olympia Constructing final fall, downtown Atlanta residents might store for groceries of their neighborhood for the primary time in a long time.
The entire metropolis had come collectively to put money into meals entry, thanks largely to America’s Wholesome Meals Financing Initiative (HFFI).
Jimmy Wright, the Nationwide Grocers Affiliation Basis’s retail knowledgeable, offered the Azalea Contemporary Market staff with hands-on assist and technical help. It’s all a part of our work serving to unbiased grocers apply for HFFI funding and different funding alternatives.
A Workforce Effort
Named after Georgia’s state flower, Azalea Contemporary Market is serving prospects in the present day as a result of Make investments Atlanta, the town’s financial growth authority, pursued the HFFI alternative. The Metropolis of Atlanta offered a further $8 million to convey the group’s desires of the shop to actuality.
Azalea’s signature identify got here from 60 Savannah Faculty of Artwork and Design college students, who put their heads collectively to pick it and to assist design the shop’s structure—making it straightforward to navigate and welcoming.
Organizations like Make investments Atlanta, the Impartial Grocers Affiliation (IGA) and Savi Provisions deal with operations and sourcing for the grocery store, with a watch towards sustainability. The shop prioritizes hiring group members, which provides residents a real stake in its success.
Azalea Contemporary Market is constructed to serve its neighbors in ways in which really feel each sensible and hopeful. It spans two tales, totaling 20,000 sq. ft. The primary flooring is stocked with necessities that one may count on from their native grocery retailer. Contemporary produce accounts for 15 % of the shop’s merchandise, which exhibits its dedication to wholesome meals entry.
Upstairs, a commissary gives ready meals, recent sushi, and extra, alongside every day espresso service from Dope Espresso, a neighborhood roaster. As a part of Azalea’s dedication to sustainability and meals waste discount, their ready meals will use elements from the shop downstairs, rotating their meat and vegetable choices primarily based on the meals that’s gradual promoting and may in any other case be wasted.
The true energy of the shop’s success is the way in which that native and nationwide funding suits into the larger image of meals entry in Atlanta and different communities throughout the nation. One other Azalea location is already deliberate for South Atlanta, and cities like Seattle are asking how they will convey a retailer like Azalea’s to their downtown areas that lack entry to wholesome meals.
Timing can also be essential. Proper throughout the road, two reasonably priced housing buildings are beneath building, and Azalea would be the go-to retailer for these households from day one. It’s a concrete reminder that meals entry works finest when it’s constructed into the material of a group, not an afterthought.
Do You Want Funding for Your Meals Entry Undertaking?
The Nationwide Grocers Affiliation Basis’s Grocers Options Middle can help unbiased grocers growing tasks like Azalea Contemporary Market in their very own communities, when non-public funding isn’t sufficient.
HFFI’s FARE Fund (Meals Entry and Retail Enlargement Fund) is without doubt one of the solely federal funding assets accessible to retailers
Our staff of business specialists can assist with eligibility necessities, funding constructions, and different important points of the FARE Fund utility.
Study extra in regards to the HFFI FARE Fund, and get assist for you
