New Co-Op Grocery Store Set To Open in West Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The area of West Boulevard and Clanton road has long been considered a food desert — access to food is limited and there’s been no full service grocery store for nearly 30 years.

“So we were very limited on options when it came to food and when it came to groceries and when it came to whole foods and fruits and vegetables and things like that,” Charlotte resident Marcus Looney said.

Research shows neighborhoods in West Charlotte have struggled with some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the county.

Three Sisters Market aims to change that — the $10 million dollar project set to open in 2025 would bring the first full service grocery store the area has seen in decades.

The co-op grocery store will be for the community and owned by the community rather than a large corporation.

“They have shares that they buy into it that gives them some decision making as to what is put onto the shelves and what’s available to them. The wealth that’s generated through that grocery store goes back to those cooperative members so it stays within the neighborhood,”  Director of Charlotte Action Research Project Colleen Hammelman said.

The 12,000 square foot grocery store would be managed by the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition would feature fresh food and produce as well as a community kitchen and educational programming.

“We think the community is going to be very proud and happy about what it is that is going to be coming to their corridor,” West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition board member Guy Cousins said.