Q&A: Southside Grocery Store LLC

In their respective roles supporting the board’s efforts, the Community Foundation of Huntington County and the City of Huntington are sharing this on behalf of the Southside Grocery Store LLC.

As its name suggests, the Southside Grocery Store LLC is committed to the hard work of reestablishing a grocery store on Huntington’s south side.

Most in Huntington will recognize Ramiro Escamillo from another south side business. He owns and operates Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, which his father opened in November 2000. Ramiro is one of five board members for the Southside Grocery Store LLC, along with other community-minded residents and business owners with close ties to the south side.

Ramiro recently sat down to discuss the board’s efforts and the progress that’s been made.

“We’ve all seen how the lack of a grocery store has affected people, especially on the south side,” Ramiro said.

The following Q&A is based on Ramiro’s responses to these questions. The objective of the Southside Grocery Store LLC board is to provide a clearer understanding of what’s being done to open a new south side grocery store, who is doing the work, and what to expect next.

Q. What led to the development of this project and why is it important?

A. Huntington’s south side has been without a grocery store since 2019, when the last remaining grocer there closed its doors. Corporate interests looked at opening in Huntington’s south side over the next few years. But, these efforts dried up in the face of the ensuing pandemic and the uncertainty it created.

“Companies got cold feet,” Ramiro explained. “Two companies that I knew of that were interested pulled out, because COVID was a very unknown time for everyone.”

The Southside Grocery Store LLC was created to drive this important initiative forward in the face of these setbacks. It has committed itself to a strong local emphasis in which all involved are fully vested in Huntington’s future.

The initiative’s importance lies in the fact that providing easy access to fresh produce, vegetables and other nutritious foods is essential to community members’ collective health and well-being. At the same time, meeting those needs closer to where they live is important for residents’ sense of community.

Q. How will this grocery store improve the quality of life in Huntington?

A. Issues such as transportation and accessibility become outsized factors when essential services aren’t located nearby. The need is amplified for those who have limited transportation options or similar obstacles.

It’s not just about making it more convenient to run errands. There are fewer opportunities for neighbors to build community together when they must travel farther for essentials. Potential homebuyers often prioritize neighborhoods with essential services nearby. There are also lost business opportunities for south side store owners when people and traffic head to another part of town.

The grocery store board envisions a walkable location where you’ll meet new neighbors on your way and see them when you get there. It will help draw people to the south side and give its residents more chances to connect.

“That’s been missing for the better part of five years,” Ramiro said.

Q. What makes this grocery store different from other stores in the City?

A. The Southside Grocery Store LLC is exploring community-owned models that prioritize local investment. The approach under consideration would provide communitywide benefits, including local profits and revenues staying in Huntington.

“We want to open it because it benefits Huntington, and we want to keep it local,” Ramiro said.

Q. Explain how the grocery store will be “community-owned.”

A. The community-owned model under consideration may provide investment opportunities for local residents who support the initiative. A developing component of the plan, in accordance with federal and state laws governing investment offerings, is the potential for those living, working or running a business in Huntington to purchase ownership interests in the company. More information will be made available at a later time.

Q. What type of grocery store can the community expect to see?

A. The community can look forward to a small to medium-sized store with a full assortment of grocery items. This will include a wide variety of fresh local produce, meats, bread, milk and daily household items at competitive prices.

Q. Where will the grocery store be located?

A. Several locations have been thoroughly vetted and explored, as have opportunities for new construction. The board is closing in on determining a location, which will be announced in the near future when all aspects of the decision are finalized, Ramiro said.

“Everything was on the table, but the main, absolute hard line was it has to be on the south end of Huntington,” he added.

Q. What community organizations and entities are involved in this community collaboration, and how?

A. The Community Foundation, City of Huntington and Mayor Richard Strick have indirect, supportive roles as community partners. The decision-making has been, and will be, left to the Southside Grocery Store board.

To address some misconceptions about the mayor’s role, he does not hold a board seat, nor does he vote in the board’s decisions.

“He brought the idea forward to get people involved,” Ramiro said of the mayor’s role. “As soon as he got the board together, he removed himself from any direct decisions” to avoid conflicts of interest.

Other local involvement includes contractors, accountants, bankers and architects assisting with the project, Ramiro said.

Q. How is community input being used for the proposal?

A. Community input was the key impetus for the Southside Grocery Store LLC’s formation. Mayor Strick approached community members to serve on its board following a public meeting on the status of a southside store in September 2023. Ongoing community support will also be vital to the board’s next steps in opening a southside grocery store.

Q. How long will this process take?

A. The initial goal was to open in Spring 2025. For a number of reasons, that timeline has not been achieved. Board members, including Ramiro, remain optimistic about a grocery store opening its doors in 2026. More information will be available as plans come together.

“People have heard about it for so long. There have been murmurs and rumors. Rumors are rumors. Those of us who are involved know exactly what’s gone into it, and there’s a lot more than I think anyone that hasn’t opened a grocery store realizes,” Ramiro said. “We’re well on our way to accomplishing that goal!”