Cincinnati's First Black-Owned Grocery Store Opens in Avondale
Country Meat Co. Marketplace Becomes the 1st Black-Owned Grocer in Cincinnati
For us, BY US!
Avondale is finally shedding its status as a food desert with the arrival of The Country Meat Co. Marketplace, a new grocery store set to open this Friday, February 28th at 3539 Reading Road in the Avondale Town Center.
Husband and wife duo, Chanel & Tennel Bryant, are graciously expanding on the success of their well-known Country Meat Co. butchery inside Findlay Market. Their new grocery store aims to provide much-needed access to fresh, high-quality food in the predominantly Black neighborhood. This marks the first full-service grocery store in Avondale in 16 years since the closing of Aldi.
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What Shoppers Can Expect
The 10,000-square-foot market will offer a diverse selection of groceries and prepared foods, including:
- Fresh produce and baked goods
- Pantry essentials like canned goods, cereal, and other staples
- A full-service deli featuring Amish turkey, chicken, smoked meats, and beef
- Hot grab-and-go meals including rotisserie chicken, ribs, sandwiches, and fried chicken
- Frozen foods, ice cream, beer, and wine
- A coffee bar and lounge space for shoppers to relax
Years in the Making
Initially set to launch in fall 2023, the store’s opening was delayed due to construction setbacks. The company received financial backing from Cincinnati City Council and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, totaling out at $750,000. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, at least 30% of Avondale residents live in poverty, and most live more than one mile away from any fresh food. Over 12,000 people live in Avondale where the poverty rate is nearly 50% and many people commute via bus.
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For The Bryant’s, the marketplace is about more than just groceries— it’s a mission to help eliminate food deserts across Cincinnati, one neighborhood at a time.
Tennel Bryant to the Cincinnati Enquirer: “The community has been hungry and definitely in need of it… I feel like they will support us because they have been wanting this for a long, long time, and we finally answered the call to bring them a store they can be proud of and call their community hub.”
The store is currently hiring. Visit their website for details or stop in in person.
The Country Meat Co. Marketplace is set to become a cornerstone of the neighborhood, alleviating a long-standing community need for walkable, affordable grocery options.
