The announcement of Goodwill opening a grocery store in Roanoke to supply healthy, fresh options to an area food desert made national news. But longtime residents in Northwest Roanoke know this has been a decades-long campaign – one that will pay off in November when Market on Melrose opens its doors for the first time.
“We’ve been trying to get a supermarket in the neighborhood for 20 years now, very aggressively for at least 10 years,” said Amazetta Anderson, who is delighted to have a full-service supermarket in her neighborhood.
The 25,000-square-foot Market on Melrose will fill the space of the former Goodwill Industries of the Valleys headquarters on Melrose Avenue. It will also fill nutritional gaps that have made Northwest Roanoke a food desert.
“You don’t find the produce and fresh fruits you need in the mom-and-pop convenience stores nearby, and no one wants to drive for miles to get groceries,” said Anderson, who volunteered with community development organization One Valley, Inc., before offering her insights to the Goodwill team when the project was announced last year.
One Valley’s Carver Community Garden, initiated in 2012, was one of many initiatives designed to bring better, more accessible food options to promote healthy living in Northwest Roanoke. Market on Melrose is partnering with multiple community organizations to ensure that local residents can access the groceries and resources they need for a healthy lifestyle.
“With all the partners we have hopping on, I know it’s going to be wonderful,” said Anderson, who recently attended Goodwill’s hiring event for Market on Melrose.
“Goodwill bringing the right people to the table and bringing this to fruition makes my heart feel so good. Seeing people from the Northwest community putting in applications is fantastic. There’s so much diversity and vibrancy coming back to the community,” said Anderson.
Anderson expressed her gratitude and excitement for the other community resources coming to Melrose Plaza, including the Bank of Botetourt’s financial services and Wellness at Melrose. The center will provide medical, dental and behavioral health services in addition to physical fitness equipment.
Anderson’s neighbor and fellow community advocate Andre’ Peery believes Market on Melrose will be a wonderful asset not only to the Northwest community but also to the city and county of Roanoke.
“The best part is that the money earned at Market on Melrose is going right back into the community,” said Peery, who volunteers alongside Anderson helping to maintain the Carver Community Garden and provide outreach, supplying fresh food to families in need, a mission they’re looking forward to continuing with Market on Melrose.
“I was very curious to see how this was going to unfold, but I’m so glad Goodwill shared this vision,” said Peery. “I hope that the model they created here will spread across the country. Problems are opportunities.”
The Grand Opening for the Market on Melrose will occur on Wednesday, November 13, with doors opening at 10 a.m. More information about the Market on Melrose can be found on Facebook or Instagram at @marketonmelrose or online at melroseplazaroanoke.com/market.
