Hundreds of people are expected to attend a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for Gem City Market, a co-operative grocery store designed to address diminishing access to healthy food in West Dayton.
Plans for the market have been underway since 2015. The store is set to offer fresh produce and other grocery staples. It’ll also feature a community health clinic and a teaching kitchen.
Amaha Sellassie, president of the Gem City Market Board, says more than 2,200 people have already signed up to become members of the co-op.
“So many volunteers have been spreading the word, knocking on doors. It’s really been a community effort," he says, "so we wanted to have a community party to celebrate.”
The groundbreaking party will be held at 324 Salem Avenue from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday Sept. 18.
The market is currently slated to open in the fall of 2020.