Azalea Fresh Market Surpasses 100,000 Customers, Expands Mission to Address Atlanta Food Deserts

Azalea Fresh Market Surpasses 100,000 Customers, Expands Mission to Address Atlanta Food Deserts

Downtown Atlanta's only full-service grocery store continues improving fresh food access through community-first partnerships and new neighborhood investment.

ATLANTA-Nine months after opening in the historic Olympia Building, Azalea Fresh Market continues to exceed expectations as Downtown Atlanta's only full-service grocery store, serving more than 150,000 customers while helping address longstanding food-access challenges.

Since launching through a collaborative effort between the Dickens Administration, Invest Atlanta, Savi Provisions and the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA), Azalea Fresh Market has become an essential resource for downtown residents, office workers and Georgia State University students seeking fresh, affordable groceries in the city's urban core.

"The opening of Azalea Fresh Market locations in Downtown Atlanta and Campbellton represents an opportunity for residents who have long faced barriers to healthy, affordable food. Every family deserves the ability to purchase fresh produce, and nutritious meals close to home, and these investments are helping meet the needs of these communities," said Mayor Andre Dickens. "The momentum we are building is creating healthier neighborhoods, strengthening local economies, and ensuring that all Atlantans have access to the resources they need."

Building on that momentum, Azalea Fresh Market is now expanding its footprint with a second location currently under construction at Campbellton Plaza on Campbellton Road in southwest Atlanta - another community historically impacted by limited access to fresh food options. The new 16,000-square-foot store is currently 30% complete, with interior concrete slab and underground utility installation completed. Framing, loading dock updating, and facade renovations are scheduled for completion in the coming weeks. The store is expected to open in Fall 2026.

According to Azalea Fresh founder and CEO Paul Nair, the expansion will strengthen the company's ability to serve Atlanta neighborhoods more effectively.

"The next Azalea Fresh Market location will increase buying power, customer service, and economies of scale," said Nair. "This growth allows us to deepen our commitment to solving food-access issues while continuing to support Georgia vendors and local communities."

This milestone would not be possible without the strong support of Mayor Dickens, the Atlanta City Council, and Invest Atlanta through its Tax Allocation District (TAD) funding.

"Bringing Azalea Fresh Market's to Campbellton Road represents a meaningful investment in the people and neighborhoods of Southwest Atlanta," said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. "Campbellton Road is more than a commercial corridor, it's a vital connection for residents, families, and small businesses. This market is expected to serve more than 1,700 residents each month while generating a projected $2 million in annual economic impact; an investment that will benefit the community in tangible and lasting ways."

Azalea Fresh also recognizes IGA's ongoing contribution to developmental and operational support. IGA CEO John Ross and IGA Community Development General Manager Ashley Page, and Director Jimmy Wright, have been instrumental in helping scale the market's vision for equitable food access across Atlanta.

"The opening of Azalea Fresh Market on Campbellton would help tremendously," said Gloria Leonard, president of the Bonnybrook Neighborhood Association; an organization working closely with the city and local developers to bring essential resources to the South Downtown Atlanta area. "I see many people my age leaving the community to be able to do their grocery shopping. I think this store would be an asset to the community, and we have been needing it for a long time."

During a hard hat tour of the construction site in May, John Ross emphasized the importance of the project's impact on southwest Atlanta residents. "This is about more than a grocery store," said Ross. "It's about creating equitable access to fresh food, supporting economic development, and investing in communities that have been underserved for far too long."

The original downtown market's success has also been driven by strong partnerships with Georgia-based vendors, including Westside Community Market, Anthony Murano, Alon's Bakery, and Arden's Garden, creating a vibrant shopping experience rooted in local quality and community connection.

"Azalea Fresh Market was designed with 'community first' in mind," said Nair. "In just eight months, we've not only expanded food access in Downtown Atlanta, but also created a platform that elevates Georgia-grown products and demonstrates how public-private partnerships can transform urban food access."

Through its partnership with the IGA and city leadership, Azalea Fresh Market has delivered competitive pricing and high-quality inventory in areas historically underserved by fresh-food retail options.

Key Achievements & Momentum

• 150,000+ customers served since opening.
• The average daily revenue has increased close to 20% since opening, showing consistent and sustained growth.
• Strong local partnerships featuring Georgia-grown and locally made products.
• Expansion into southwest Atlanta with a second full-service location
• The average daily revenue has increased close to 20% since opening, showing consistent and sustained growth.
• A destination for fresh and prepared food. Nearly one in five dollars spent in the Azalea Downtown store goes toward prepared foods, grab-and-go, café items, and sushi. That is roughly five times the industry average. Azalea is meeting people where they are, whether they are grabbing a quick lunch or feeding their family dinner.
• A scalable model for addressing urban food-access challenges through public-private collaboration.

Azalea Fresh Market remains committed to its core pillars of community-first service, fresh quality, and supporting local businesses as Atlanta continues to grow and evolve.

The downtown store is located at 25 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA, and is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

About Azalea Fresh Market - Downtown

Located in the historic Olympia Building, Azalea Fresh Market is a public-private partnership launched in 2025 by the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, and Savi Provisions. As Downtown Atlanta's first full-service municipal grocery store, Azalea Fresh Market was created to eliminate food-access barriers while supporting local businesses and strengthening community vitality.

About Invest Atlanta

Invest Atlanta is the official economic development authority for the City of Atlanta. Its mission is to shape the city's future by growing jobs and driving neighborhood investment, elevating the city's global competitiveness, and advancing development and innovation, that uplifts all residents and businesses.

For all inquiries, please contact us at: [email protected]