Market on Melrose opens in northwest Roanoke

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – A long-awaited grocery store in northwest Roanoke is ready to welcome customers. The grand opening ceremony of Market on Melrose will take place on Wednesday.

More than a year in the making, Market on Melrose aims to address food insecurity in the food desert of Northwest Roanoke.

The Grand Opening begins at 10 a.m. with the ribbon cutting. The first 100 shoppers will receive a free gift. The 15,000-square-foot market will offer a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, dairy products and pantry items, with an emphasis on nutritious and affordable options. Director of Business Services Amanda Napier says Melrose Plaza wants to provide resources to eradicate poverty, but it only makes sense to address food insecurity first.

“This means a lot to us. This was a costly project for us, and we’re really excited to bring these types of establishments to this food desert, which has been a food desert for over 40 years. So it’s great to have fresh produce, fresh produce and easy access for this neighborhood and this area to come and get what they need in a full-service grocery store,” Business Services Director, Amanda Napier.

The festivities continue on Saturday, with a Family Fun Day from 10am to 2pm. The market is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m

This is the first phase of the Melrose Plaza project. The plaza lobby is expected to open in the spring, followed by the Excel Center, Wellness on Melrose and the Bank of Botetourt branch.