Northside Co-op pauses construction of new grocery store

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Northside Co-op has paused construction and rezoning work on its new grocery store.

The co-op planned to build a grocery store near downtown Wilmington, at the intersection of 10th and Post Streets.

The location for the store was to help with a food desert in downtown Wilmington because the closest major grocery store is Food Lion and it’s more than 2 miles away.

The decision to pause any further work arose due to the possible construction of a Publix grocery store planned to be built on Chestnut Street.

Co-op executive director Cierra Washington said this helps the co-op going forward.

“Most co-ops or smaller grocery stores find out about the competition after they’re already open and then it really is truly a scramble to try and stay open,” Washington said. “For us, it was kind of a blessing to know beforehand so that we can adjust from the very beginning and be viable all the way through.”

Washington said the Co-op is still looking to build a grocery store and work on the design will continue.