News Summary
Tallahassee has started construction on a grocery store in the Griffin Heights neighborhood to improve food accessibility. Celebrating the groundbreaking, the project, funded by the city with a budget of $1.3 million, aims to address the lack of grocery options for residents. The city will issue an RFP to find an operator while preparing to offer incentives for setup. Despite previous challenges in attracting operators, the community shows strong support for the initiative, reflecting hopes for enhanced food access in the area.
Tallahassee has initiated the construction of a new grocery store in the Griffin Heights neighborhood, marking a significant development in efforts to enhance food accessibility in the area. This week, a groundbreaking ceremony took place to celebrate the start of the project, which is located on Alabama Street and is designed to encompass 2,500 square feet. The budget allocated for the project amounts to approximately $1.3 million, funded by the city of Tallahassee.
To secure an operator for the new grocery store, the city plans to issue a Request For Proposal (RFP) within the next four to six weeks. This marks the second attempt by the city to attract a grocery store to the Griffin Heights location, following previous unsuccessful endeavors. John Baker, managing the city’s Neighborhood Affairs Division, acknowledged the potential challenge, noting that there is no guarantee that an operator will respond positively to the upcoming RFP. The city has previously issued RFPs without receiving any responses and intends to persist in this effort until an operator is secured.
In addition to the ongoing efforts to find an operator, the city is prepared to offer potential incentives, including technical assistance and funding of about $80,000 aimed at interior preparations, such as shelving and refrigeration. City Commissioner Curtis Richardson described the project as a “leap of faith,” highlighting the difficulties involved in finding a suitable operator.
A nearby lot was also sought by the city for additional parking to benefit the grocery store, but negotiations fell through due to complications arising from the heirs of the property being scattered across the country following the original owners’ demise. The city has engaged in discussions with Roy Moore, the operator of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain; however, no commitments have been made after it was determined that the store’s planned size does not meet the minimum requirements for a Piggly Wiggly branch.
For residents of Griffin Heights, the absence of local grocery options has been a pressing issue, especially since the closure of the Winn-Dixie store in 2018 and Lucky’s Market in February 2020. In 2021, the Griffin Heights Neighborhood First Plan was formalized with an emphasis on the need for healthy food options within the community. It is also important to note that approximately one-third of the neighborhood’s residents do not have access to vehicles, making the establishment of a grocery store crucial for improving local food accessibility.
The groundbreaking ceremony was well-attended by residents, signaling strong community support for the project. Attendees were provided with packaged groceries in reusable tote bags branded with “Griffin Heights,” amplifying the celebratory atmosphere. Local leaders, including Rev. Rudy Ferguson Sr. and neighborhood associations, have expressed hope and commitment to tackling food insecurity in the area, indicating a collaborative effort toward community betterment.
Mayor John Dailey recognized the grocery store’s relevance to the revitalization of the neighborhood and emphasized the importance of community involvement during the planning process. However, the project has not been without political tensions, particularly around budget allocations among city commissioners. Some disagreements have emerged regarding budget priorities, with Mayor Dailey criticizing opponents of the city budget, while Commissioner Jeremy Matlow emphasized that all commissioners have supported the grocery store initiative and countered the mayor’s criticisms.
The site for the new grocery store was initially transferred to the city by the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality. Architectural design firm Lewis+Whitlock has been commissioned to create a structure that reflects the community’s architectural style, including an outdoor pavilion for engagement activities. Construction on the grocery store is projected to conclude in 2026, with an emphasis on maintaining ongoing community input throughout the building process.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Construction Beginning for New Grocery Store in Griffin Heights
- Tallahassee.com: Griffin Heights Grocery Store Groundbreaking Blends Hope and Politics
- Tallahassee Reports: City to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony for Griffin Heights Grocery Store
- Wikipedia: Grocery Store
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grocery Store
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
