LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- A new grocery store in west Louisville is bringing healthy food and dozens of new jobs to the area.
Tuesday was the grand opening for First Choice Market in the Park DuValle neighborhood. The 20,000 square foot, full-service grocery store will serve about 35,000 people in that part of west Louisville.
"This new grocery store is such a big step for Park Duvalle and our city," says United States Congressman John Yarmuth.
The unique ribbon cutting officially opened the doors to First Choice Market and a whole new world for people who live in Park DuValle.
"No longer can anybody call this area or this community a food desert," says Robert Holmes, developer.
That's because the aisles and shelves are loaded with fresh food and produce -- but the new 20,000 square-foot grocery store brings much more than just food to the area.
It is also provides jobs for dozens of people like cashier Alexis Anderson.
"It's real nice. We don't have to go far. We can come right here to First Choice," says Anderson.
"We had over 161 people to apply," says Terra Leavell, executive director for Canaan Community Development Corporation.
The new grocery store fills a void of fresh food and employment in the area.
Leavell says, "All of the employees...all 40 employees of First Choice Market all live in the 40210 or 11 zip code...which is huge because not only have we given them a place to shop and to buy food but also employment."
For Alexis Anderson her new job is more than just employment. She hopes to make it a career.
"I would love to move up to management to make the store better and get more better customers and do everything we have to do to make first choice the best choice," says Anderson.
First Choice is now the anchor store for Wilson Crossing. It will be operated by ValuMarket, which has five other locations in Louisville.
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