WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Apartment complexes, a revamped riverwalk, and even a thriving amphitheater have changed the look of downtown Wilmington in recent years. Now another big change could be coming -- a grocery store.
The Wilmington City Council approved a new grocery store in the downtown area on Tuesday.
Leaders say the grocery store will likely become a Publix. Council members Luke Waddell and David Joyner say the developers who put in the 1.7 million dollar bid have developed successful Publix stores across the Wilmington area.
"We know that downtown Wilmington is also a food desert," said Joyner.
"For decades, citizens in the downtown area have wanted access to a grocery store in downtown," said CEO and President of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Natalie English.
"It's a food desert here. There really isn't much here," said Courtney Fitzpatrick, the owner of Oasis Massage Therapy in downtown Wilmington.
Fitzpatrick says she is thrilled Wilmington City Council approved a bid for a grocery store in downtown Wilmington, located on Chestnut Street, just feet away from where she works. It will be located across from Thalian Hall where old city offices once stood.
"I'm excited," said Fitzpatrick.
City Council member Luke Waddell says approving this project was a no-brainer.
"I'm elated. This proves to me a creative solution to what's a tough challenge. I mean, fitting a major grocery store into, you know, a downtown city element is difficult," said Waddell. "It's a major win for the community and to me, it feels like Christmas came early."
Fellow city council member Joyner says downtown will become home to a national retail chain if all goes according to plan.
"I think it will be a reasonable assumption that we're going to see a Publix downtown. Soon, hopefully," said Joyner.
English says it will only benefit the public.
"They can actually walk to a grocery store to fill their pantries and their refrigerators are going to change their lives," said English.
Fitzpatrick says it will not only be convenient but another economic driver as it's significant for many people downtown who have to travel miles to reach the nearest retail chain. There are smaller supermarkets located downtown - but nothing of this scope and size.
"We have a couple of convenience stores, but nothing like a grocery store where you can... It's a one-stop shop to get everything you need. This is an added plus for the downtown community and it brings jobs," said Fitzpatrick.
The sale of the property will now go through an upset bid process and will move forward if no other qualified offer is submitted within ten days of the offer being submitted.
The offer comes with commitment restricts use property at least ten years so even if another bid comes -- still for
a
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