Community grocery store celebrates 2-year anniversary; Looking to get WIC program back

A community grocery store designed to help shrink a food desert is fighting to get back some key programs it lost.

>>PHOTOS: Gem City Market celebrates 2-year anniversary

The Gem City Market opened back in May 2021.

News Center 7′s Mike Campbell says everyone has been excited about a community-owned, cooperative store in a neighborhood that had lost other grocery options. But the two-year anniversary is also a time to look at what has been accomplished and what key components the community may still be waiting on.

“It has been extremely difficult,” said Bill Nelson, Store Director at Gem City Market.

Campbell says the store shelves are full at the Gem City Market on Salem Avenue and customers are rolling in. But the opening of this store in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic was not the timing anyone wanted.

“We’ve had our struggles, we’ve been in crisis mode, for a long time,” said Nelson. “Now, we’re officially a grocery store and we’re coming along.”

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘It was just very last minute;’ Questions raised after suspension of WIC program at Gem City Market

Campbell says Nelson and his employees all believe in the store’s concept, employee and community-owned.

“We try to make the experience the best we can, so they come back and enjoy everything we have for them,” said Jalisa Robinson.

Employees admit Covid-19 and masks were tough and misconceptions about the store have also made them miss potential customers.

“I think because a lot of people thought they had to be a member to shop here, they do not,” said Gerri Burell.

Campbell says another item holding the store back from expanding its customer base is they are not enrolled in the state Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. It is for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five years old.

It provides baby food, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods.

>>Gem City Market celebrates 1-year anniversary

Campbell also asked store managers about that on Friday.

“We’re working on many different fronts, a lot of programs we’ve had in the past, we couldn’t keep, we’re looking to bring back,” said Nelson. “It’s very important to the community.”

There is no timetable for Gem City to regain the WIC program participation, but employees say their sales are heading way up.

“Foot traffic is picking up; the parking lots are filling up,” said Bronwinn Stormer.

News Center 7 reached out to the Ohio Department of Health as to why a grocery store might not be is not able to offer WIC programs.

The ODH said the Ohio WIC program has contracts with retail grocery stores and pharmacies.

“As specified in Ohio Administrative Code 3701-42, vendors interested in contracting with WIC must meet a number of criteria,” ODH said.

The criteria includes the following: