Deep Roots grocery may move downtown
GREENSBORO — Downtown may soon get its long-awaited grocery store.
The general manager of Deep Roots Market said the co-op grocery could relocate to a site on the northern edge of the center city as part of a major expansion.
A development group called North Eugene Partners wants to build Deep Roots a 9,000-square-foot building in the 600 block of North Eugene Street, formerly part of the old North State Chevrolet dealership.
Deep Roots currently occupies about 2,900 square feet at 3728 Spring Garden St.
“We’re overcrowded here,” said general manager Joel Landau. “We want to expand to carry items we don’t currently have and to make for a more pleasant shopping experience.”
Getting Deep Roots to open a full-service grocery downtown would be a major victory for center-city residents.
“Everybody has been wanting a downtown grocery for 10 years,” said Bob Isner, managing partner for the development group. “There is going to be so much support for this.”
But the deal hasn’t been finalized. No lease has been signed and Landau said he’s considering other options.
“This is our preferred site if the finances can be worked out,” Landau said. “ ... We have been ready to move for a couple of years. It is finding a suitable location and a deal that is financially plausible.”
The developers hope something called industrial development bonds provided through the federal stimulus package will make the deal work.
Isner and his partners have asked the city to endorse their request for $1.9 million in such bonds to finance the project.
The money would come from a pool of more than $19 million the city received based on local job losses. The program allows developers to borrow money at a cheaper rate than on the open credit market.
The bonds, which place no obligation on the city, are designed to stimulate economic development and create jobs.
“This is not free federal money,” said Ed Wolverton, president and CEO of Downtown Greensboro Inc. “This is low-interest financing.”
The City Council could consider endorsing the request Tuesday night, the first in a series of steps the developers must negotiate before the bonds are issued.
If the process goes smoothly, construction would begin in June and the store could open in early 2011.
Deep Roots currently offers organic produce, supplements, health and beauty products, bulk items and frozen foods. The new store would add fresh meats and seafood, a deli section, a sit-down cafe, a community meeting room, a customer service desk and perhaps beer and wine.
Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com
Accompanying Photos
Photo Caption: The Deep Roots Market at Spring Garden and Cranbrook streets. Deep Roots is considering a partnership to build a 9,000-square-foot natural-products grocery store in the 600 block of North Eugene Street, formerly part of the old North State Chevrolet deale...
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