LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The lack of fresh produce and healthy options in West Louisville is leading a woman to focus on turning an old vacant building into a grocery store.
"Sometimes, it takes them like two buses to get to a grocery store," founder of nonprofit, Virtuous Women of Empowerment, Megan Bell said. Bell plans to name the grocery store, The Next Door Market.
"I think a lot about the cultural barriers, I think about the food deserts, and I think about the community transportation," Bell said. "When you think about urban neighborhoods, there is nothing but corner stores, liquor stores, and gas stations – that's really where they get their food from."
The landlord of an old abandoned building at 3044 W. Broadway sold the building to Bell. According to Bell, the 9,000 sq ft. facility in the Russell neighborhood used to be a food supply store.
"It's going to be a place where you have your affordable, healthy, go-green type food store."
To make that vision come to life, she is working with groups like Louisville Forward and the city's economic development team.
"It's important to understand what the community needs and what they want, and to hear their voices of what they want," Bell said.
The goal is to raise at least $1,000,000 through crowdfunding.
Bell plans to employ residents in the neighborhood.
"We're working with the Urban League to see what we can do to help the residents and the community get their records expunged and helping them find jobs."
She hopes to open the doors in 2021.
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