Black Neighborhood Unites to Open a Grocery Store in North Carolina

[drones]

http://www.techyville.com/2014/10/news/black-neighborhood-unites-to-open-a-grocery-store/

 A North Carolina neighborhood has come together to open their very own grocery store after 15 years of being without one.

Much of northeast Greensboro, North Carolina used to buy their groceries from a local Winn-Dixie. But in 1998, despite being profitable, the store in the primarily black and lower-income community closed down due to the company repositioning itself across the Southeast, according to Yes Magazine. The City of Greensboro attempted to listen to the demands of its citizens and find another grocery store willing to open in the area, but to no avail.

Residents figured they would have to take matters into their own hands if they wanted a reliable source of food. In 2012, community members and leaders gathered to form the Renaissance Co-op Committee (RCC). The RCC dedicated themselves to learning the ins and outs of opening and maintaining a cooperative grocery store, according to the store’s webpage.

In 2013, the RCC elected its Board of Directors for what would become the Renaissance Community Co-op, including a black president.

The aim of the community-owned store is to provide Greensboro with “healthy foods at affordable prices and [commit to] locally sourced foods, community education and dignified jobs,” the store’s webpage reads.

The co-op is serious about being committed to providing its workers with a livable wage. They are starting their employees out with a wage of $10 per hour.

The store is projected to open its doors officially in 2015, but for now, they are preparing for that day with community meetings and newsletters. They are also taking donations and seeking those interested in becoming co-owners.

The co-op created a video called “We Want Co-op” in which members of the community, both young and old, express their desire to have a grocery store that citizens own and that they “can walk to.”

 

[superantigen]

Thumbs up for taking matter into their own hands.



...

 

[RustyShackleford]

I read the title as "Black Ninjahood decides to unite openly gay....."

I thought Edwin finally came around to support papi-n-papi unions

-The this news is though

 

[Maximus Meridius]

Respect to them. I hope this spreads to other places.

 

[jayzz]

AYYE
WE REPRESENTING!!!

 

[doublemesh96]

nice. now if we can just start doing this with schools...

 

[AEA18]

 

[cedric ceballos]

This is a good move. I tip my hat to them.

 

[luckyluchiano]

nice. now if we can just start doing this with schools...

This should be done in every major city along with a Private Grade school

 

[blazersfan]

 
nice. now if we can just start doing this with schools...

THIS!

 

[kdawg]

I really like the idea of the local co-ops. Good food, good prices and they do a lot for the community too.

 

[trueprada]

 

[dmbrhs]

Props to them for coming together and bettering the community.

Now, let's see how many posts this thread will have compared to your run-of-the-mill gentrification thread.

 

[RIP sleazyy]

Spectacular. Again, love to see good news on here. Wish more was posted.

 

[Nike Jordan]

Good.

 

[hand2handking]

how long before a walmart moves back in the neighborhood tho? 

yall know they wont let us have nothing for too long 

 

 

[seasoned vet]

how long before a walmart moves back in the neighborhood tho? 

yall know they wont let us have nothing for too long   

excuse me?

LET us?

thats the root of our problem right there.

if we truly understood the importance of keeping our dollars circulating in our own neighborhoods, Wal Mart could set up shop right across the street and we wouldnt shop there.

this organization and its board gets it.

this community as a whole gets it.

hopefully the individuals get it too.


i seen a documentary about the demise of black owned beauty supply stores in the black community

the director asked a patron of a local Korean owned store if he showed her a black owned beauty supply store would she shop there....she looked him in that face laughed, and said she'd still shop with the Koreans.


WE are our own worst enemy.

 

[trickster360cj]

This is great. We need more of this.

 

[RustyShackleford]

how long before a walmart moves back in the neighborhood tho? 

yall know they wont let us have nothing for too long   

Food co-ops cater to a different market than a Wal-Mart.

If they do it right, and there is demand for a food co-op in the area. They will do find

 

[supermanblue79]

Love this!

 

[360waves]

Great for them. If I'm ever in NC I would buy something.

 

[rich]

I really like the idea of the local co-ops. Good food, good prices and they do a lot for the community too.

 this

 

[Gill Baka Esq. LLC.]

I really like the idea of the local co-ops. Good food, good prices and they do a lot for the community too.

 

[PatRiley]

I really like the idea of the local co-ops. Good food, good prices and they do a lot for the community too.

+1

Unfortunately, most of the time the "local" food is sold at a premium price to higher socioeconomic classes. So this is good to see.

 

[6 Rings G.O.A.T.]

Good for that neighborhood..