More than a grocery store, the Market at Eastpoint is a symbol of collaboration
On Wednesday, April 21, The Market at Eastpoint opened its doors and welcomed the community to join in celebration of this major event. The Douglass High School band greeted guests with their beating drums and made it difficult for individuals to stand still. For good reason, it was a moment that called for dancing. The store’s opening increased food access for residents of the area, where some had been commuting by bus up to 1.5 hours each way to get to the nearest grocery after another nearby local grocery concept closed in August of 2019.
The 6,800-square-foot market at 1708 NE 23rd street is more than just a grocery store. It’s a symbol of hope for many. Before the market was in its planning stages, Restore OKC, a non-profit focused on bringing together resources on the northeast side, began operation of an organic farm and micro-grocer located nearby at their 5-acre urban farm at 2222 NE 27th. With the success of Restore Farms, an idea to build a full grocery store was set in motion. Less than a year later, the Market at Eastpoint opened its doors with shelves stocked with organic produce from the farm, among a large selection of products sourced by Homeland Stores.
The funding for the construction was generated through a private and public partnership made possible by multiple generous donors. Chamber members Homeland Stores, Life Church, Inasmuch Foundation, Pivot Project, Heartland, and Gardner Studio were some of the partners responsible for the success of this project.
On the opening day, Restore OKC’s Executive Director Caylee Dodson thanked the people who came together to make the market a reality. To her and many others, the opening of the market was a story of unity and, in her words, part of “a movement that’s greater than any one of us…that’s what gives us chills.” Before passing off the mic, Dodson expressed some of the challenges surrounding the journey and with great optimism, stated “Things worth doing need a little bit of crazy and a lot a bit of faith.”
Pastor Nate Williams was one of several community members who followed Dodson’s opening. As he stood at the podium and expressed his excitement for the store’s completion, he remarked, “It’s amazing when you give access to communities…they thrive.”
Though many were determined to see the Market at Eastpoint project come to fruition, it took effort, teamwork, and care to make it happen successfully. Homeland’s President, Marc Jones, said it best when he shared sentiments from the initial stages of the project. He asked, “What if we were willing to try new things that we hadn’t tried before?”
With all factors taken into consideration, the Market at Eastpoint did not present typical circumstances for the implementation of a new grocery store. Some would have hesitated in supporting the project, but Marc and his team saw the importance of making the investment and created a new business model to fulfill the community’s needs. Products supplied by Homeland at the store are offered through their Cash Saver product model, which is their lowest cost product-option.
Shoppers can also purchase locally grown, seasonal produce from Restore Farms. The organic farm continues to make a meaningful impact in the community, even after the transition was made from their micro-grocer to the full store. In addition to supplying the market with organic vegetables, they also supply all the farm fresh eggs used in the market’s café, the Eastside Eatery.
Restore Farms is operated primarily by their internship program, which currently gives 12 students a chance to learn about sustainable farming practices over their 6 years of paid service. This summer, the cohort will increase to support 15 internships and will eventually max out with 25 interns. Interns begin working at the farm in 6th or 7th grade and ideally continue until their graduation from high school.
Giving 5 hours per week during the school year and 15 per week over the summer, these youth do everything to ensure successful operation of the farm. Some wake up early in the morning to collect eggs from the chickens. Others spent their time learning and implementing new farming practices, like the goldfish fertilization system that provides organic fertilizer to 76 produce towers in the farm’s greenhouse.
In addition to giving young people a unique opportunity to support an urban farm in their neighborhood, the program hopes to plant seeds that go beyond the confines of farming. Each intern is paired with a mentor who meets with them at least once a month. The program connects the students to resources to pursue higher education so they can continue making meaningful impact wherever they land.
Similarly, the Market at Eastpoint is intentionally investing in the local community by providing jobs to 30-40 locals. One of their employees, Brandi Jones, is the executive chef of the eatery. She previously owned and operated “A Family Affair Restaurant,” which is now closed, but was formerly located several doors down. The food she serves out of the eatery suites any palette, offering a combination of soul food and vegan options. Brandi’s mother, Diola Frazier, who initially planned on taking a food service role with late-night hours, was thrilled when Brandi asked if she would join her in the kitchen.
Before the ceremony ended and individuals rushed into the store to browse the neatly displayed and brightly colored items lining each shelf, councilwoman Nikki Nice summed up the culmination of efforts. “We made it. We’re here. We’re celebrating, and we’re thankful…This is what happens when you invest in the community you’re serving. This is what community looks like.”
The Market at Eastpoint is open Monday-Saturday from 7 AM-8 PM and Sunday from 10 AM-5 PM. The Eastside Eatery, located inside the market, is open Monday-Saturday 11 AM-2 PM and is closed on Sundays.
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