Introduction to Southside Market
CHATHAM — A micro-grocery store co-owned by South Side neighbors will open in Chatham this month, bringing fresh, locally sourced goods to a food desert. Leaders at Southside Market and Cafe Co-op will celebrate the grand opening of the community-owned grocery store 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 24. Those who wish to attend can RSVP for the ceremony here.
The Concept and Development of Southside Market
Developers rehabilitated a long-vacant corner store at 433 E. 79th St. — “everything from mechanical, electrical and plumbing” — to bring the micro-grocery store to life, said Southside Market co-founder Mabel Shiu. The team received a nearly $240,000 community development grant in 2023 to complete the work. Southside Market is “micro” because the renovated location is 1,400 square feet, Shiu said. The size of an average grocery store can begin at 30,000 square feet.
Products and Services Offered by Southside Market
Despite its size, neighbors can expect to have all their basic grocery needs met at the hyperlocal, walkable store, Shiu said. The market is “produce-heavy and fresh food-forward,” Shiu said. Neighbors can visit the store to buy everything from refrigerated and frozen products to dry goods. Southside Market will also sell goods created by local vendors, chefs and entrepreneurs of color, Shiu said. The grocery store will have a rotation of items on its shelves “so there’s always something new to experience and sample,” Shiu said. For neighbors on the go, Southside Market will have a front-counter cafe with food prepared by local chefs and coffees, teas and juices made to order.
Leaders at Southside Market previously received a nearly $240,000 community development grant to fully rehab the long-vacant Chatham building and transform it into a thriving market. Credit: Provided
Community Involvement and Ownership
Southside Market was made for and by the community, Shiu said. Leaders at the market formed a community council to guarantee neighbors’ voices were prioritized during the development process. Architects at Civics Project collaborated with the community “every step of the way” while designing the store. In the months leading up to the grand opening of the market, leaders hosted pop-ups at churches and community centers like the nearby Gary Comer Youth Center to continue understanding and learning from the community, Shiu said. “It’s such a beautiful space,” Shiu said. “We incorporated a brick wall [in the shop] by request of our community council. The block club members a block away would come in and say, ’I remember growing up here and spending time in this space.’” And unlike other big-box grocery stores, the micro-market is co-owned by the community. Neighbors can browse Southside Market’s shelves as shoppers and buy shares to become community owners of the co-op.
At Southside Market, a micro-grocery store soon opening in Chatham, neighbors can become co-owners. Credit: Provided
The Importance of Community Ownership
“Access to healthy food is a right,” Shiu said. “We believe that everyone should have the right to healthy and fresh, nutritious food. We need to have this in our neighborhood and other adjacent neighborhoods that are experiencing low access to food.” The market has 82 invested owners, Shiu said. The goal is to reach 300 by the time the store opens Oct. 24. “Once our doors open, we hope to see even more engagement,” Shiu said. “Community members can see that we’re starting to meet our promises. They’re not empty words or just ideas, but truly plans that we’re accomplishing together.”
Combatting Food Inequity
As grocery stores across the South and West sides close and the city continues to brainstorm
