RICHMOND, Va., -- A locally-owned store aimed at offering fresh, healthy food to an East End community is improving access to that food.
The Market @ 25th announced on Thursday plans to accept online orders for food delivery.
“Put March 10th on your calendars, everyone!” the store’s Facebook post read. “That’s the day we launch our online shopping program, The Market at 25th Delivers! You shop; we deliver within an 8 mile radius ($5.50+ depending on location). So convenient and simple! Who’s excited?”
Developer Norm Gold said since opening the store 10 months ago the store worked to encourage shoppers to choose them over larger grocers.
“I won’t say we are fully profitable right now,” Gold said. “Any business it takes a while to get there and we are getting there.”
He hoped the new delivery service will further help turn their financial tide.
“It’s an online shopping program and the convenience is something customers have been asking for since day one,” he explained.
Since opening, the number of employees have dropped from 95 to 65. Some customers argued that prices can be high.
“If this place was an Aldi, that would be perfect,” said Church Hill resident Izzy Seigler. “Their prices are extremely reasonable.”
Ronald Johnson shops at The Market several times per week. He said the store invests back into the community.
“Prices seem to be average,” Johnson explained.
“There’s been comments about our prices when we first opened up,” Gold stated. “We did have some challenges about our prices, we got those change, and now they’re really comparable to really anybody except Walmart.”
SNAP shoppers receive 50 percent off fresh producer at The Market @ 25th. Gold said they will soon be the first test store in Virginia to offer half-off frozen fruits and vegetable for those with an EBT card.
Gold now works to change the game when it comes to locally owned grocery stores.
“They open up and they`ll close after a year and a half,” Gold stated. “We are going to create the model that works and is sustainable. We`ll share that model in other areas so it can be replicated in other places in Virginia and wherever it needs to be go.”
The store aimed to not only employ their neighbors, but support them, as well.
The store is currently accepting donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on behalf of an employee who lost her husband to the cancer.
Their Reward Our Community Giveback program gives schools and churches to opportunity to earn funds when members shop. The store also offers community rewards 10% discount days for certain professions like teachers, veterans and first responders.
The 25,000-square-foot store that’s part of the Church Hill North Retail Center backed by a group including local businessman Steve Markel opened last April.
It’s situated at 1330 N. 25th St. at its intersection with Nine Mile Road.
The Market @ 25th will offer their delivery service through their website and an app.
