Northside Grocery Store

A photo of fresh produce with text reading "Northside Grocery Store"

New Hanover County is making several investments in the community to provide equitable resources for residents, increase stability for families, and give children and adults strong foundations to thrive. As part of this community building plan, the county is designing and building a grocery story on the Northside of downtown Wilmington, which has been designated as a food desert for over 35 years.

The grocery store is planned to be located at 900 N. 10th Street and will be operated by the Northside Food Co-op once it is built. It will provide neighbors with a nearby and convenient location to access fresh food and create job opportunities for residents.

Project planning is currently underway, in partnership with the Northside Food Co-op and grocery consultant Seven roots, with a goal to open the store by Spring 2025.

Access to healthy food is necessary for a person’s health and overall wellbeing, so this store will be a valuable and needed resource in the community.

Below is an overall timeline of the project:

  • January 2022: Approval by the Board of Commissioners to build and construct a Northside Grocery Store
  • January-July 2022: preliminary design and project scope developed, request for qualifications outlined, and land donation work begins
  • July 2022: Wilmington City Council approves the county’s request for the donation of land located at 900 N. 10th Street
  • Summer 2022-Spring 2023: Seven roots consultant selected and works with the county and co-op team on project discovery, store vision, and conceptual site plan
  • Summer 2023: Store design begins
  • Spring 2024: Tentative - Construction start
  • Spring 2025: Tentative - Store opening 

Community engagement will take place throughout the process through the Northside Food Co-Op.