Grocery store on its way downtown
By this summer, residents of downtown Roanoke will be able to shop for groceries within blocks of their homes.
Jonathan Kenny and Arlene Fields, owners of Roanoke-based Comfort Cuisine, a catering company, are making plans to open a full service grocery store at 16 W. Church Ave., called Sixteen West Marketplace, inside a building that also will house apartments on its upper level this year.
Their store , set to open in August, will stock fresh produce, meat, a deli, a bakery, beer, wine and cheeses. Check out today’s story for the details. Kenny and Fields also plan to open a coffee shop and restaurant on the building’s second floor.
The new grocer’s entrance into downtown comes just after recent U.S. Census show a substantial increase in people living in condos and apartments inside Roanoke’s history buildings. The number of downtown residents shot up more than 1,600 percent from 2000 to 2010, according to the census. For years, advocates of downtown living have discussed the need for a grocery store within walking distance for residents. They have said that new amenities in downtown Roanoke will continue to spark growth in its residential scene.
Read my story in today’s Business section about the rise in downtown’s residential population and some new apartment projects that are on the horizon.
February 13, 2011 - 7:33 AM
I think they may be presuming that people who live downtown in those buildings would like to pay $15 for a loaf of bread. We don’t need another Tinnell’s. Besides, in the next year or so, especially when the Patrick Henry is done being converted to apartments, college students are going to be swarming downtown and living down there and they will need something a little bit closer to their economic needs.
600 people living in town is not a lot.I doubt that they alone can keep the store going.So hopefully business people will also go there.
As a downtown resident, I’m happy as long as their prices aren’t exorbitant.
Speaking strictly as a downtown Roanoke employee, I would definitely go there if they are open late enough for me to stop by on my way home from work. The grocery store is out of my way, so if I need an item or two for dinner preparations that evening, etc., it would be very convenient to pop down the street.
A downtown grocer is a big thing for downtown Roanoke when someone thinks of moving there. I don’t think a chain grocer would ever consider downtown so this is the next best thing. I like the idea that other businesses will be involved also.
Also a dowtown resident. I am thrilled to get a grocer down here!
Debbie, you just like the fact that its across the street from you!!! : )
So what happened?
@Ben: Food writer Lindsey Nair told me last week that she’s working on an update. I was by the building the other day and it looked like construction was still underway. I’ll post an update to the blog when I have one.
Any updates? Looks like construction has stopped….at least when I was by there two weeks ago.
@Boo: Food writer Lindsey Nair has been following the grocery store’s progress. She says that the owner recently told her they are a couple of months away from opening. Lindsey is planning to do a story when the grocery store is closer to completion. I’ll probably link to her story here when it’s published.
Thanks Amanda….I might be wrong but this does not bode well in my opinion.