Grocery store coming to Eastside food desert
After years of Jacksonville’s Historic Eastside being a food desert, The Corner at Debs Store is set to open this summer. The opening will be the result of cooperation among several community organizations to restore the grocery store in the Eastside neighborhood. After the original Debs Store closed in 2011, there were no grocery stores offering fresh produce to the residents of Eastside and surrounding neighborhoods. Goodwill Industries of North Florida will run the store, stock it with fresh food and offer employment services. VyStar will operate ATM and banking services out of the space as well. Here’s what to know about the new operation:
Where is The Corner at Debs Store?
The store is located at the corner of Florida Avenue and 5th Street.
Who runs The Corner at Debs Store?
LIFT JAX, the Debs Family, VyStar Credit Union and other local community organizations have helped Goodwill North Florida “to create a vibrant new community space where residents can build healthier, more prosperous lives.”
How big is the store since its expansion?
The new Corner at Debs Store is a 5,000square-foot complex.
What services are available at The Corner at Debs Store?
The first floor includes 1,800 square feet for a community market. A Goodwill GoodCareers Center occupies the second floor with employment and job training for the neighborhood. There is also a surcharge-free ATM and financial education services from VyStar.
When will the store open?
The Corner at Debs Store is slated to open in summer 2024.