CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Fifeville may undergo some changes in the future.
There are plans to open a grocery store on Cherry Avenue where the Estes Grocery Store used to be.
Community leaders outlined this redevelopment project at an event called “Buy Back the Block,” and they see a bright future for one of Charlottesville’s oldest neighborhoods.
A committee met in Jefferson School African American Cultural Center and invited the community to express their opinion on the plan.
“What could we do around the food project? What could we do to get people involved? How can we bring a grocery store here?” asked RN Heartwork LLC owner Deanna McDonald.
These were the questions community leaders asked themselves a year ago and they decided to involve the Fifeville community every step of the way.
“We welcome everyone, but we want to honor the history and legacy of those who have been most disenfranchised and marginalized there,” McDonald said.
This is the first of two community meetings.
The heritage and history of Fifeville were the two things they wanted to teach people at the first meetings.
The next goal is to open a grocery store in the area that is consistent with Fifeville’s values.
“We are looking for a community-owned grocery store, someone who can work with the community and represents the values that the Fifeville Neighborhood Association represents,” McDonald said.
There used to be a grocery store in this area called Estes IGA Foodliner, but it eventually closed its doors, forcing people to travel further afield to shop for groceries.
“We didn’t have access to a grocery store in this area, and there are elderly people living in the neighborhood,” said Carmelita Wood, president of the Fifeville Neighborhood Association. “There are people who don’t want to rely on transportation to get to grocery stores that are far away.”
The neighborhood hopes to grow and restore Fifeville to what it once was.
Although it is open to everyone, they want people in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area to know its history.
“Fifeville is a very diverse community. Whereas it used to be a culturally African-American or black neighborhood, it was thriving,” Wood said. “We had banks, we had a grocery store. We believe Fifeville should be a very thriving neighborhood where everyone can come together, get to know their neighbors and shop for healthy food.”
There will be a second part of “Buy Back the Block” on September 4th at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.
Community leaders will continue the discussion about the cooperative grocery store.
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