Pontiac Street Market to open in Fort Wayne
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A full-service grocery store in an area of Fort Wayne that had previously been defined as a food desert will open to the public on Monday.
The Pontiac Street Market was created through a partnership between the city and Parkview Regional Medical Center and Affiliates.
Ground was broken on the project in March. Staff from the city’s Community Development department and store operator Sodexo, which is also Parkview’s food service provider, met with neighborhood and community organization representatives over the next few months to gather input on the specific types of products that should be offered at the store.
The store is located at 918 E. Pontiac Street and features fresh produce, meats, dairy, prepared foods, baked goods, a sandwich counter, and grocery pickup.
In a May interview with our partners at WPTA-TV, Fort Wayne City Councilor Michelle Chambers said the project will serve as an anchor for the community and lead to additional development.
“One grocery store means there’s an opportunity for more retail,” Chambers said. “There could be a doctor’s office there. There could be a medical clinic there. There could just be additional retail. It creates that anchor, and you can add to it and add to it. And, then what does it become? A full, full, walkable, livable neighborhood.”
Construction on the store cost $3.4 million, and Parkview has committed to providing the upfront capital to ensure the store remains fully stocked and staffed. The store is being operated by Sodexo.
The store will be open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city says the market recently received USDA approval to accept SNAP, which it will start to do soon.