There’s a new Black-owned grocery store in Columbus, Ohio, that was inspired by the marches and protests following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.
During that time, Michael Young, Juana Williams, Shaundretta Boykins, and Tiffany Harris noticed another movement: Blacks supporting Blacks.
The four of them knew a grocery store was a need in the community, which eventually led them to East Fifth Avenue. The ‘For Sale’ sign in the window caught both the attention and enthusiasm of 18 investors, which helped launch “Culture Market.”
“Not only are we meeting people’s practical needs, but it’s us supporting, serving our culture and our community so we take great pride in that,” Young told 10 WBNS.
The market is the city’s third Black-owned grocery store and the first in the last 25 years. It took the team less than two months to get the store up and running.
“I think, altogether, it says that we can do it,” Harris added. “I think it’s a misjudgment that Blacks don’t work together as a unified group, so this is just an example that we can do it, and we will do it if we have like-minded people to do it.”
The “Culture Market” also provides financial services for the community and looks to put in a pharmacy to help cut down on travel time and cost for prescriptions for the elderly.
The team said it also plans on expanding into other areas with satellite mini-marts.