Attention Neighbors!
We have had a lot of curious future customers coming to the store asking when we plan to open. The answer is soon! Our goal has always been to serve our neighborhood residents, so we are awaiting authorization to be a SNAP store before we open. As we wait, here are the most recent updates.
Our biggest news is that LNPK Grocery has been officially certified as a grocery store! After an inspection from a representative from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, we have obtained a Retail Food Handler’s License. Passing this inspection is a big step towards opening our store and a vote of confidence in our efforts to provide accessible and fresh food to the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Although not open yet, the Eco3 Urban Farm, located just three miles up the hill, has produce ready for consumption from their spring harvests. So until the store is ready, the team has been hosting free pop-up produce samples on the sidewalk outside the store to give community members a taste of what’s to come! Keep an eye out on our social media to see when the next pop-up will be!
Lastly, between the inspection and sidewalk giveaways, our staff member, Kelly, has been painting beautiful murals to liven up the interior of our store. On the exterior, the last of our signage has been installed, and the Duluth Garden Flower Society lent a hand by planting lovely blooms in the flower beds at our storefront and Byrnes Nursery from Zim supported planting our rear gardens. We’d like to give a big thank you for their assistance in making the LNPK Grocery a beautiful community space!
What’s next? Our final projects revolve around accessibility and inventory:
- Stocking the Shelves: With the help of our distributor, we will adjust shelf placement and move products to their final home on the shelves.
- Becoming a SNAP Authorized Retailer: For accessibility it is important to be SNAP certified on day one. Our team is selecting products that meet the inventory requirements set by the USDA to be SNAP certified. After securing SNAP certifications, the next step will be to apply for WIC.
Make sure to keep a close eye on the LNPK Grocery social media pages so you don’t miss out on the next free produce pop-up and the grand opening announcement. We can’t wait to open the store and serve the Lincoln Park community soon!
