SPOKANE, Wash. – A new grocery store has opened in downtown Spokane, providing a much-needed resource for residents. The store is located beneath the iconic Ridpath sign, an area that has been without a full-service grocery store since Rite-Aid closed late last year.
“It’s been hard, especially in the snow, especially with individuals with walkers, wheelchairs and canes. I think it’s gonna be great for them, they don’t have to go through the snow banks and get stuck and possibly fall,” Robert, who lives at the Ridpath, said.
The store, which has been open since Wednesday, currently offers a selection similar to what one might find at a gas station, including drinks, snacks, and small household essentials. However, Kentiba has plans to expand the offerings. He intends to stock fresh produce and utilize adjacent rooms for a liquor store, coffee shop, hot food station, and laundromat.
Despite the limited selection, the prices are comparable to those at neighborhood grocery stores. The store owner Samere Kentiba has lived in the U.S. for 25 years after being born in Ethiopia, emphasized the importance of affordable pricing. “I’m very grateful for what America did for me, growing up working hard following the rules and it’s my time now to turn and give that opportunity to areas that are in need,” he stated.
The store is situated in an area known for having a significant homeless population, but Kentiba is confident in the 24-hour, $2000 a month private security firm he has hired. He remains optimistic about the long-term future of downtown Spokane, saying his store will only become more valuable as Spokane cleans up their downtown area.
Currently, the store operates from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, with plans to eventually stay open 24 hours a day.
