FIRST ON 3: Downtown residents, businesses react to new market

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) —  Plans for a new food market in Downtown Wilmington are official. Farmin’ on Front will open in the coming months but Downtown residents, workers, and visitors were already out Tuesday taking a peak inside the Front Street location.

“Well this is a great surprise, I’m really excited about it,” said Downtown resident Steve Roberts.

A food market is set to open at 143 North Front Street.

“I saw the truck parked out here and then I saw the posters in the windows, so I stopped in to see if we were indeed really having it,” Roberts said.

Posters glued to the windows shared an announcement many have been waiting for. Alan Murphy, who works downtown, says he can’t wait.

“A lot of people down here in the area have been wanting for something like this for a while so it’s cool to see this finally come together and in a pretty good location too, right in the middle of everything,” Murphy said.

This move is a step up for the Farmin’ Brands company, but is also what some say was missing in the downtown community.

“Especially for what downtown Wilmington is trying to do by building all of these new apartments and condos, so with more people living down here they need some place to go to buy groceries to make it really be a feasible destination,” Murphy said.

By this summer, breads, seafood, meats, produce, and more will be available to shoppers.

“I think this grocery store is going to do great here,” said Murphy. “I’m very excited about it.”

It’s a store that is only a short bike or walk away for many.

Roberts says, “I’m ready for it. I’m ready to eat.”

You can keep up-to-date on the progress on their website.