Savi Provisions opened a first-of-its-kind municipal grocery store in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, serving neighborhood residents and expanding access to fresh, nutritious food.

Azalea Fresh Market is the result of a collaborative effort between the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Savi Provisions, the Independent Grocers Alliance and community members who identified a pressing need for more healthy affordable food options in Atlanta. With 14% of Atlanta experiencing food insecurity, this initiative provides access to nutritious food in a USDA-designated low-income, low-access area while also fostering economic growth and job creation within the community.

“Our Administration made a commitment to expand access to fresh food across the city, and Azalea Fresh Market is a significant milestone in ensuring healthy, whole neighborhoods,” says Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who also serves as Invest Atlanta Board Chair. “This grocery store is not just a place to shop—it is a community hub that will serve neighborhood residents, support Georgia grown products and promote healthier lifestyles as we continue to revitalize Downtown.”

Azalea Fresh Market is located in the historic Olympia Building, which was repurposed for this novel use. The store’s design and operations were a collaborative effort between Invest Atlanta, the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, Savi Provisions, creative agency Cohere and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). In fact, more than 60 students from 10 of SCAD's top-ranked degree programs contributed to this transformational project, including students and faculty at SCAD’s Atlanta campus who helped to develop the concept and name.

“The opening of the city’s first municipal grocery store will not only enhance access to fresh, affordable food but also stimulate local job growth and continue to invigorate the Downtown economy,” says Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “This initiative is another example of Atlanta leading the way in addressing food access and food insecurity with a new grocery store model that will foster sustainable community development and enrich the lives of local residents."

Spanning two levels, Azalea Fresh Market will offer a wide range of products, including fresh produce, dairy, meats and pantry staples, with a focus on sourcing from local farmers and suppliers to support the regional economy. In addition, the store’s upstairs level will feature an array of delicious, prepared food, hand-rolled sushi from Atlanta’s High Roller Sushi and an in-store coffee shop by locally owned Dope Coffee.

“At Savi Provisions, we’ve always believed in giving back, but this initiative goes beyond one-time efforts and cements our commitment to being an Atlanta institution that truly serves and partners with community,” says Paul Nair, founder and CEO of Savi Provisions and the owner/operator of Azalea Fresh Market. “We look forward to growing the Azalea Fresh Market brand and working together with stakeholders across the city to make this a truly accessible and homegrown concept.”

The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) worked alongside Savi Provisions, Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta to bring this vision to life. According to its CEO John Ross, this initiative reflects what independent grocers can do when given the right support. “Large chains may bypass these neighborhoods, but with the right guidance and resources, independents like Savi can step in to provide access to fresh, affordable food and become true community anchors,” he says.

Azalea Fresh Market offers convenient hours to accommodate diverse schedules and promotes affordability by accepting SNAP benefits and providing special promotions and discounts. Slated to serve more than 5,500 people per month, the estimated total economic impact from Azalea Fresh Market is over $6 million a year. An Invest Atlanta Food Access Catalyst Grant supported its opening.