North Food Co-op grocery store is still on amid re-strategizing

"100%, the store is coming. There's no doubt in our minds. We're not stopping the project. We're just for the best way to move forward."

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)–The Northside Food Co-op recently announced a “pause” on building a grocery store near Downtown Wilmington due to a possible big chain grocery store coming into the area. Now, the co-op is working on a new plan to stay afloat.

“100%, the store is coming. There’s no doubt in our minds. We’re not stopping the project. We’re just for the best way to move forward,” said the Executive Director of the Northside Food Co-op, Cierra Washington.

Determination. It’s how Washington feels as she gives updates about bringing a grocery store near Downtown Wilmington.

“When we found out that the public was coming to town, we were able to share that with our market study consultants,” Washington said.

On Tuesday, The Northside Food Co-op held a Zoom meeting with the community. It comes after the co-op announced a “pause” on construction for the grocery store. What caused this pause was the fact that a local developer placed a $1.7 million bid to build a grocery store on Chestnut Street in Downtown Wilmington. Now, the co-op is trying to re-strategize longevity if the rumored Publix comes.

“We talked about adding to the business model like hot food. We’re thinking of doing a walk-up counter thing where folks can come and grab a hot meal,” Washington explained.

However, other stores like Harris Teeter with similar business models. Washington says her model will be different from other grocery chains to bring foot traffic in.

“We’re not doing a hot food bar. This is an actual restaurant that will be in the store. It’s just not a full sit-down restaurant,” Washington explained.

Washington says she has consulted with businesses in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Buffalo, New York, and other places. They also thought about relocating the store from 10th and Post Streets to elsewhere. However, they haven’t found a new location yet.

“It’s disheartening when we first found out about the news,” Washington shared.

Washington says a market study was done, which predicts a business’s success, showing the grocery chain would cause them to fail. She says for the store to be a success, everyone in Wilmington would have to shop there.

“Some of the things that I have heard are, ‘Grocery stores are near each other all the time.’ That’s great for corporate grocery stores. There’s a lot of benefit for them, and the competition doesn’t hit them as hard,” Washington shared.

Washington also shared the county is working with them fully on the project. In fact, they have dedicated $1.5 million, in total, over the next five years to ensure the store stays afloat.

The Co-op is having another meeting on April 12th at noon. It will be held at Dreams of Wilmington, where they will clarify what the “pause” means for the project and provide more updates.