Jim’s Local Market opened yesterday in the Southeast Community
with celebration, fanfare and grand opening specials. Hundreds from around the community gathered outside the store to witness this milestone for a neighborhood that had been without a grocery store for the last two years. As guests arrived, several musical selections were performed by the Heritage High School Jazz Ensemble. The event opened with the Newport News Police Color Guard and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation by Rev. Dr. Gregory Howard of First Baptist Church East End.
Remarks were made by City Manager Jim Bourey, Mayor McKinley P
rice, Councilwoman Tina Vick, Councilwoman Saundra Cherry, Ms. Suzanne Beckstoffer (Chair of the Board of Directors of BayPort Credit Union) and Jim Scanlon (Operator of Jim’s Local Market). Program speakers and other members of City Council participated in cutting the ribbon and leading shoppers into the store. Store associates greeted a steady crowd of shoppers, eager to learn about Jim’s offerings and to make their first purchase and to open an account at Bayport Credit Union.
Much of the focus of this full-service supermarket will be on providing premium fresh produce and other healthy options. Scanlon is also committed to hiring from the local area and providing training opportunities for both his employees and customers. 75% of the 60 employees he has hired to date live in the 23607 zip code in which the store is situated.
In addition to a variety of grocery items, Jim’s features a BayPort Credit Union branch, which offers not only banking services, but also classes to help improve customers’ financial literacy. Bon Secours has partnered with the grocery store to host health and wellness classes in the store’s community room.
Jim’s Local Market is located at 3101 Jefferson Avenue in Brooks Crossing. The store is open from 7 AM to 9 PM daily.