"Fresh produce and food is so important to a community," Browning said. "'A lot of us have done a lot of volunteering in this area and seen that it really has a need for something like this. Fresh produce and food is so important to a community."
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Construction is set to begin next year in the 300 block of Salem Ave., and the new project hopes to help those living in northwest Dayton gain access to fresh and healthy food. The store will feature affordable kitchen staples, as well as specialty, local, and organic products. Gem City Market will be different from other neighborhood grocery stores as it will be owned by its workers, customers, and supporters from the community.
"We're so honored that these women of the Dayton region chose us," said Lela Klein, one of the organizers behind the market. "We're excited by our momentum. We've already raised $1.76 million towards our total goal but we still have a ways to go."
Organizers have sold over 950 memberships to the market and eventually hope to raise $4.2 million before breaking ground in 2019.
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