A new, locally owned and operated grocery store has opened within walking distance of campus for students, local residents and university employees.
The Market Uptown, 30 W. Stimson Ave., was built to fulfill the needs of the nearby senior center and of students who can walk from campus, owner John Carpenter said. The store sells groceries, including frozen foods, dairy products, pet supplies, school supplies, health care and beauty products, cleaning supplies and household items, and soon will carry beer and wine.
Carpenter said he realized there was a need for a local grocery store in the area from talking to Athens residents after Bob's IGA closed.
We're all from Athens
he said. We all live and work around here. (Customers) will be supporting a small business owned by local people.
Athens residents seem to agree with Carpenter.
I used to work for Bob's [IGA] year ago Athens resident Ed Perkins said. I think it's terrible the way Wal-Mart is putting small businesses out of business but at least some people still try. So
I'm trying to support a local business.
Students said they liked the store's location close to campus.
I think (The Market Uptown) is awesome because I live on Palmer (Street) and I have no car
so it's hard to ride my bike from Wal-Mart with bags without things breaking
said junior Paul Pearson.
Owners of The Market Uptown are talking with local producers to try to get local products in the store. Tomatillos Salsa, a locally-produced product, will soon be on the shelves in the market, Carpenter said.
The Market is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; however, the hours will change as soon as beer and wine become available.
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Lauren Lipaj
