News Summary
A new grocery store is set to be constructed in Tallahassee’s Griffin Heights neighborhood, aiming to improve food access for its residents. With a budget of $1.3 million, the store will replace the former All in One Supermarket and is part of the community’s efforts to combat food deserts. The project is expected to be completed by 2026, providing a crucial resource for the neighborhood’s approximately 4,888 residents who have been underserved since the closure of prior grocery options.
Tallahassee is poised to see the construction of a new grocery store aimed at tackling food accessibility challenges faced by the Griffin Heights neighborhood. Construction is set to begin this week at the site of the former All in One Supermarket, located at 1309 Alabama Street. The initiative comes as Griffin Heights is currently designated as a food desert, meaning residents must travel significant distances to access fresh food and groceries.
The absence of grocery stores in the area has been felt acutely since the last grocery option, All in One Supermarket, closed its doors in 2019. Other previous grocery establishments, including Winn Dixie, which closed in 2018, and Lucky’s Market, which ceased operations in February 2020, have left the neighborhood devoid of convenient access to essential food resources. According to the U.S. Census data, Griffin Heights is home to approximately 4,888 residents who have long been seeking accessible food options.
The project for the new grocery store is funded with a budget of $1.3 million. The land for the store was first purchased by the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality before being transferred to the city of Tallahassee as part of ongoing efforts to address community needs. The design of the grocery store will feature a 2,500-square-foot facility, created by local architects Lewis+Whitlock, innovative architectural elements that align with the community’s character, and include a covered outdoor pavilion designed to foster community engagement.
Tip Top Construction has been awarded the contract to build the grocery store, with the project expected for completion by 2026. A groundbreaking ceremony to officially mark the commencement of construction is scheduled for September 4 at 10 a.m..
This grocery store project is a crucial part of the Griffin Heights Neighborhood First Plan, which began in 2019 and was formalized by city commissioners in 2021. It reflects the city’s dedication to addressing food accessibility issues and ensuring the needs of residents are met. City commissioners unanimously approved the funding for the construction, highlighting the collective efforts and voices of the community in advocating for a sustainable food source.
Overall, this grocery store is anticipated to significantly improve food access in Griffin Heights, a neighborhood that has struggled with food desert challenges for many years. The residents and local government are hopeful that the store will not only serve as a convenient shopping option but also act as a community hub where citizens can gather and connect with one another.
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Tallahassee to Award Contract for Griffin Heights Grocery Store
City of Tallahassee Approves Construction of Grocery Store
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Construction Beginning for New Grocery Store in Griffin Heights
- Google Search: Griffin Heights Grocery Store
- Tallahassee Reports: City to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony for Griffin Heights Grocery Store
- Google Scholar: Food Deserts
- Tallahassee.com: City Commission Approves Funding for Griffin Heights Grocery Store
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Accessibility
- WTXL: Creating an Economic Boom in Northwest Tallahassee
- Google News: Grocery Store Griffin Heights
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.
