May is National Small Business Month, which celebrates the nearly 33 million small businesses that drive the U.S. economy. In Atlanta, many of these small businesses are also helping to address food insecurity by expanding access to healthy, affordable food in underserved communities.

The Azalea Fresh Market is one such Atlanta small business that is helping to pioneer a transformative municipal market model. Made possible through a public-private partnership between the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Savi Provisions, the Independent Grocers Alliance and community members, this innovative concept is bringing more healthy food options to Atlanta’s food deserts.

Construction is currently underway for Azalea Fresh Market’s second location on Campbellton Road, which will open in the fall of 2026. With funding assistance, including $6 million in Campbellton TAD grants, what was once a dated Super Giant grocery store is being fully transformed into a thriving community hub featuring fresh, locally sourced food and other staples.

Earlier this month, Invest Atlanta and partners hosted a sneak peek for community leaders to see the progress taking place. Gloria Leonard, president of the Bonnybrook Neighborhood Association, was among those who attended the gathering and says this new grocery store will help tremendously. “I see people all the time my age having to get on Lyft or Uber to go somewhere out of this community to grocery shop,” she explains. “So, this will be an asset to this community. We’ve been needing this for a long, long time.”