The husband-and-wife team of Maurice ‘Moe’ and Yashica Spears Wince hope to bring healthy food options to one of Milwaukee’s food deserts with their Sherman Park Grocery.
Located in West Milwaukee, Sherman Park Grocery is the only full-scale, Black-owned grocery store in Wisconsin. Co-owners Maurice “Moe” and Yashica Spears Wince founded the grocery store to meet the community’s needs, home to nearly 80% of Black residents.
“Sherman Park Grocery grew out of resident listening sessions, led by Bishop Walter Harvey, on the heels of civil unrest six or seven years ago. We listened and responded to their concerns. The neighbors have embraced us, and the kids call me ‘Uncle Moe,’ It’s been great. Last July 29, we celebrated one year in this location,” Maurice said to The Milwaukee Community Journal.
The Milwaukee natives both experienced food and home insecurity while growing up. They founded the Sherman Park Grocery Store to address the food insecurity and health issues disproportionately affecting Black Americans.