Grocery Outlet's Opening Eliminates Food Desert in North Philadelphia

Grocery Outlet recently opened its newest location in Philadelphia’s Sharswood neighborhood, which up until this opening had been a food desert.

Located at 2077 Ridge Ave. in North Philadelphia, the store is a welcome addition to the Sharswood Ridge shopping center, the extreme-value grocery retailer said in a statement.

The new store, which will create nearly 30 new jobs in the community, offers savings on name-brand, high-quality merchandise for its shoppers who have been coping with issues magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic, Grocery Outlet said.

“We are overjoyed to be an oasis for the Sharswood community and convenient access to healthy and affordable groceries,” said independent operator Donta Rose in a statement. “We are beyond grateful for our partnership with The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), Mosaic Development Partners and SHIFT Capital, to meet a need in our community and elevate the quality of life for local residents.”

Grocery Outlet reported last Tuesday second quarter earnings of $20.1 million—an increase of 2.3% compared to a year ago. Its stores are independently operated by local residents who are committed to supporting their communities.

“We are extraordinarily pleased that Grocery Outlet and Mr. Rose recognized the opportunity to become part of the transformation of the emerging Blumberg-Sharswood community,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah in a statement. “We knew from the outset that, for this neighborhood to be fully reborn and serve its residents, it would need a forward-thinking school and a food market in addition to the new housing. We opened Vaux Big Picture High School five years ago. Today, we welcome Grocery Outlet, which will not only make fresh, healthy food available, it will become a catalyst for attracting businesses to this community.”

During the grand opening, which took place late last month, Rose donated $1,000 to Lower North Philadelphia Community Development Corporation (LNPCDC), whose mission is to increase access to affordable housing opportunities, while also growing and steering the development of thriving businesses and healthy commercial corridors within the neighborhoods where they operate.

"Project developers, Mosaic Development Partners and SHIFT Capital thank PHA, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, Fulton Bank, Capital One Bank, PHFA/Commonwealth Cornerstone Group, Woodforest CEI-Boulos Opportunity Fund, Josh Harris/Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and the other accredited and crowdfund investors whose investments made it possible for Grocery Outlet to find a home in the neighborhood,” said Leslie Smallwood Lewis of Mosaic Development Partners in a statement. “We also want to thank Grocery Outlet for prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion by bringing Donta Rose, a BIPOC owner/operator, to the Sharswood community."

In celebration of the opening, now through Aug. 25, shoppers can enter for a chance to win $1,000 in groceries through this link, which is valid only at the Sharswood location.

The winner need not be present to win but must claim the prize within three days of notification, or another winner will be chosen, Grocery Outlet said in a statement.

The first 100 customers who attended the ribbon-cutting celebration received Grocery Outlet Bliss Buck gift cards in mystery amounts ranging from $5 to $500 and all shoppers received a free, limited-edition reusable bag.

A destination for bargain-seeking shoppers, Grocery Outlet will now offer on-demand grocery delivery from more than 398 locations across the country following a partnership with DoorDash, the Emeryville, California-based grocer said Monday.

A third-generation, family-led company founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet has more than 400 locations throughout California, Idaho, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington.