New grocery store coming to Northwest Roanoke bringing healthier food options [Video]

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – The Melrose Plaza is a big project aiming to rejuvenate the communities in northwest Roanoke. A community partnership initiative launched by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys calls the project “first-of-its-kind.”

The first step in this Melrose Plaza project is building a new grocery store. One that would bring healthier food options to a region in the city that has built a reputation as a food desert.

“This area has been a food desert for 40-plus years,” Amanda Napier, the Goodwill Industries of the Valleys business services director, said. “We are coming in to help with the community, give fresh produce, fresh meats, and make it accessible and easy for transportation for people to get here because it’s right here in this area.”

People can expect to see a blend of new and familiar. There will be food options from big-name grocery stores like Food Lion and Kroger, but …