10 April 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) — A food desert in Topeka is one step closer to being no more. Tuesday, Central Topeka Grocery Oasis held a public meeting to get feedback on what people are looking for in a new grocery store.
The Dillons on Huntoon and Washburn closed in 2016. Since then there’s been a need in the community for a grocery store. Fast forward to 2018, a group of neighbors started working on this project to make that a reality.
Now, with property purchased on 12th and Washburn, that grocery store is creeping its way into the market. That brings us to today. From the layout of the store to the food options inside, community members met at Mt. Olive United Methodist Church to give feedback on what they want to see when the doors open.
“Our number one priority is for Topekans outside of central Topeka as well to know that this store is for the community,” Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Vice Chair James Monson said. “We are working closely with consultants and the architect and engineers to design what we think is the perfect store. But the reason we’re hosting this event is so that we can gather feedback from the community.”
“We want convenience, Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Vice Chair Board Member Clark Trammell said, “Well if I can walk to the store, or I don’t have transportation and can’t afford a cab, or a bus, or whatever, I have to walk. If I’m physically handicap that makes it even more difficult to go far. This store is so centrally located to all of central Topeka that the convenience is very important.”
A design group was also present at Tuesday’s meeting and presented a few sketches of the look for central Topeka grocery oasis.
Monson tells 27 News that they would like to break ground at the start of 2025. He says there’s still a fair amount of funds to be raised, but they’re nearing to launch their capital campaign.