Anderson’s west side gets new grocery store after nearly a decade
For the first time since 2017, the west side of Anderson has a grocery store. IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports on how the new store will play a role in addressing food insecurity.
On Thursday, hundreds of people attended the grand opening of Needler’s Fresh Market. It’s in a building that used to be a Marsh Supermarket until the chain went bankrupt in 2017.
A live orchestra played music for eager shoppers as they enjoyed special sales and free samples.
Angela Proctor has lived in Anderson for decades. She says having a grocery store this close makes a trip to the store easy again.
“There’s so many times I don’t go to the store, because I’m like, it’s just too far away,” she said.
Anderson Economic Development Director Greg Winkler says the city’s redevelopment commission worked with Needler’s for about three years to get the store up and running.
“It’s basic part of a livable fabric, urban fabric,” Winkler said. “So, if you don’t have a grocery store, you’ve got to find some way to get to a grocery store. It’s absolutely critical, especially for this particular part of the community.”
Various areas of Anderson are considered food deserts by the United States Department of Agriculture, defined as an area with a substantial number of residents with low levels of access to retail outlets selling healthy and affordable foods.
Needler’s, owned by Ohio-based Fresh Encounter, originally bought 11 Indiana Marsh stores at a 2017 bankruptcy auction. The Anderson Marsh wasn’t included in that purchase. It now shares the large building with Ace Hardware.
Michael Bosserman is Needler’s district manager. He says this store hired 95 people, and almost all were Anderson locals. He’s looking forward to further development in the western part of the city.
“There’s a lot of houses and even new developments that are coming. I think it’s going to be very great for the community, the growth of the community and what it has to bring in the future,” said Bosserman.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Needler’s donated $2,500 to the local nonprofit The Gathering of the Queens. Queens founder, Marilynn Collier, complimented the store management’s focus on helping the community.
“We always like to point out community members doing something good. And Needler’s is doing something good in the neighborhood,” she said.
Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer. Contact him at thomas.ouellette@bsu.edu
