Downtown Atlanta took a big step toward tackling food insecurity today as Mayor Andre Dickens joined city leaders and partners for a hard hat tour of Azalea Fresh Market — the city’s first municipal grocery store — inside the historic Olympia Building at Five Points.
The project began more than two years ago when Mayor Dickens asked Invest Atlanta to find bold solutions for Atlanta’s food deserts. After talks with major supermarket chains came up empty, the City pivoted to launch its own municipal grocery model to bring fresh, healthy food directly to underserved neighborhoods.
When it opens, Azalea Fresh Market will be the first full-service grocery store in Downtown Atlanta in decades. Shoppers will find fresh produce, locally sourced meats and seafood, bakery items, prepared foods, and everyday essentials — plus a Dope Coffee café kiosk featuring an Atlanta-based brand.
Today’s tour highlighted the collaboration behind the project. Savi Provisions will operate the store, SCAD students contributed design and branding ideas, and funding support came from programs like the Eastside TAD grant and the Middle Wage Jobs Fund.
Once complete, the store is expected to serve 5,500 residents each month and create more than 30 permanent jobs, anchoring revitalization efforts near Centennial Yards, 2 Peachtree, and Georgia Pacific’s conversion.
For Mayor Dickens, Azalea Fresh Market is more than a grocery store — it’s about access, opportunity, and keeping a promise to move Atlanta forward, together.
