Southern Dallas is suffering from a food draught. As a result, the area has long been considered a “food desert” — the term coined to describe an area with very few or no grocery store options. Instead, residents must travel to find fresh produce and healthy meal ingredients, as well as household staples such as soap or toothpaste. The Southpoint Community Market aims to change all of that.
Since opening on June 19th, the 800 square foot market has been quite the hit with local residents. “It’s a great thing to have on this end. You don’t have to try and get a bus and go way down to Robert B. Cullum to that far end to do whatever. So, you can meet your needs right here.” says South Dallas resident Lottie Clark. While they already have a good selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Market is open to suggestions from their customers about what they would like to see on the shelves. Customers are encouraged to write down suggestions and give them to the staff, so the business can continue to improve.
Southpoint Community Market was born of neighborhood needs and the work of local organizers like Cornerstone Baptist Church’s pastor Chris Simmons. However, this is just the starting point as far as the pastor is concerned. Cornerstone Baptist has purchased a vacant building across the street, which they hope to turn into a restaurant space within the year. There is also talk of farmer’s markets and how to promote local small businesses better. “We’re in the process of becoming a neighborhood community market so that we can expand outreach to the neighborhood around bringing fresh fruits and vegetables on a larger scale,” Simmons said. “So, not just limited to the store but being able to have open-air kind of things and then working with local vendors has really been our heart and passion of getting those entrepreneurs exposure.”
You can find Southpoint Community Market at 2839 S. Ervay St. Their operating hours are Thursday-Sunday from 11 am until 5 pm.