PROVIDENCE – A neighborhood grocery store will come to Westminster Street if the West Broadway Neighborhood Association gets its way.
The association is seeking proposals for a “healthy, affordable, natural grocery store or food cooperative” to occupy the ground floor of its new building at 1577 Westminster St. The building – slated to open early next year – sits on a lot that once housed a vacant auto shop.
“The crucial focus of the project came when the community repeatedly asked for a local, affordable and natural grocery store,” said Kari Lang, the association’s executive director. “It became imperative to address that need by opening the ground floor to a local food co-op or small business owner.”
The association said it would use a grant from United Way to help the grocery store find its footing. The association said the grant would allow it to offer rent subsidies, solar panels and other perks, as well as money for refrigeration equipment and an outreach coordinator.
“We are thrilled to have a grant from the United Way that allows us to offer substantial supports to a grocery so that it can become a strong, stable business,” said association Treasurer Jean Poehler. “Speaking as a former small business owner and adviser of business plans, this truly is a tremendous opportunity. And the buzz is palpable – neighbors are thrilled that, by early next year, they can walk to buy affordable, natural food.”
SpurwinkRI – a social services organization – plans to use the upper levels of the building for affordable housing for people with disabilities.
Proposals for the grocery store are due Oct. 28. For a copy of the request for proposals, contact Kari Lang at wbna@wbna.org or (401) 831-9344.
