Many people in downtown Portsmouth turned to the Dollar General on High Street for groceries, but the store closed. They said they were in what’s called a ‘food desert.’ Now, one local business owner hopes to fill the void, giving folks an option to get fresh fruit, vegetables and more.
On High Street in Portsmouth’s Olde Towne you’ll find the Market Street & General Store.
Watch: Groups in Hampton Roads work to address food insecurity
Groups in Hampton Roads work to address food insecurity
It’s where Tony Goodwin opened a fresh market.
“My dad started this to help teach me about business and be an entrepreneur. He got my grandmother involved as well. The three of us work together to help run this store and help the community,” said Tony’s daughter Lindsay Goodwin.
They recognized the need.
“Downtown is made up of about 8 blocks, the original town, we have a couple of convenience stores and they fill a need in some ways but we really don’t have access to farm-to-table products,” said Tony Goodwin, owner of Market Street & General Store.