Mustard Seed Market’s newest store in Highland Square is under construction with a target opening date of October or November.
It comes years after neighborhood residents have clamored for a grocery store. The two-story, 23,000-square-foot store will be at North Portage Path and West Market Street.
“We very intentionally are going into a food desert,” said Phillip Nabors, president of Mustard Seed Markets, referring to an area without nearby access to fresh foods and produce.
Phillip and Margaret Nabors, the store’s founders, have lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.
The store will be the third and smallest for the family-owned business. Both the city of Akron and Mustard Seed are investing in the project and Mustard Seed will lease the store, with the option to buy, from the city, which received a federal loan.
Mustard Seed is also managing the nearby city-owned commercial strip that includes Chipotle.
The first floor will have 14,000 square feet of retail space and all the categories of the bigger stores as well as prepared foods such as a salad bar, pizza, sushi, sandwiches and soup.
The upstairs will have a seating area and a counter with an a la carte menu.
There will be no wait staff. There is also an outdoor patio overlooking West Market Street.
The store will employ at least 47 people.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com.