Detroit’s Dexter-Linwood neighborhood – an area long-known for being one of several food deserts in the city – is on a brighter path with the opening of Kandies Mini Mart, a new grocery section within Jacquisha Blackwell’s popular Kandies sandwich shop and catering operation.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the first Green Grocer Program opening since its relaunch in 2024, following a seven-year hiatus. The expansion, made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), aims to fill a crucial gap in walkable grocery access for local residents.
The new grocery section, housed inside the Durfee Innovation Society, offers fresh produce, dairy, baked goods, and a variety of essential grocery and personal items. Blackwell, who has been running her sandwich shop and catering service in the neighborhood for several years, expanded her business to meet the growing need for accessible, affordable, and nutritious food options.
“In this neighborhood, there isn’t a walkable grocery store nearby, so families are often forced to rely on fast food or convenience stores,” said Blackwell. “Kandies Mini Mart aims to help close that gap. We talk to our customers, learn what they need and what they can afford and build our offerings around that.”
The DEGC manages the Green Grocer Program in partnership with the City of Detroit. The initiative focuses on small-format grocery stores, hybrid food concepts, and convenience retailers that bring healthy, fresh food options to neighborhoods with limited access to traditional grocery stores.
At the event, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield praised the program’s impact on local communities.
“Every corner of our city deserves this type of investment,” said Sheffield. “As mayor, it is my goal to provide more opportunities like this for our residents – walkable access to fresh foods, local ownership, good jobs for our young people. The Green Grocer Program will play a pivotal role in making this happen.”
Kandies Mini Mart marks a return to the Green Grocer Program, which was originally launched in 2010 to support neighborhood grocery stores and expand access to healthy food. In its first phase, the program helped generate more than $50 million in investments, supporting over 40 grocery businesses and creating 115 jobs across 14 stores. However, the program was put on hold in 2017 due to funding limitations.
Coleman A. Young II, Detroit City Council President Pro Tempore At-Large, championed the program’s relaunch in 2024 after securing additional funding.
“Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come. The idea of a grocery store in every Detroit neighborhood that serves fresh food, clean water, for sound minds and healthy bodies – is an idea whose time has come,” said Young.
The $25,000 Green Grocer grant that Kandies received was used to purchase refrigeration, shelving, and to upgrade the shop’s electrical systems to accommodate the expanded grocery offerings. Blackwell also ensured that the store remains affordable for families by accepting EBT and WIC benefits.
“Jacquisha didn’t need us to tell her what her neighborhood needs. She was already serving her community,” said Sean Gray, senior vice president at the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. “We gave her the resources to expand what she was doing well. It’s an investment that will create a significant impact in this community.”
Kandies has also been an important employment resource for Detroit youth. The business currently employs seven staff members, most of whom are local young people, and partners with organizations like Grow Detroit’s Young Talent and Legacy Youth Travel to provide job training, mentorship, and employment opportunities.
“God placed me exactly where I needed to be,” Blackwell said. “I applied for this program, prayed and trusted the process. When I received the call, I knew this was bigger than me. This is about serving the community and being obedient to the purpose God put on my heart.”
Looking ahead, additional food businesses are expected to take advantage of the Green Grocer Program’s support, further increasing access to healthy food in Detroit’s underserved neighborhoods. As the program continues, it will play a crucial role in strengthening the city’s grocery sector and reinforcing the importance of neighborhood-scale grocery stores as vital community assets.
Kandies Mini Mart’s grand opening is just one of the many ways that the Green Grocer Program is reshaping the food landscape in Detroit, bringing healthier food options, local ownership, and job opportunities closer to home for Detroiters.
As Blackwell reflected on the journey to opening her expanded shop, she emphasized the importance of community and the long-term impact of the Green Grocer initiative.
“This isn’t just about a grocery store,” she said. “It’s about showing that people care about the community and giving them the tools to help themselves.”
For more information about the Green Grocer Program and small business resources, interested businesses can visit the DEGC website at degc.org/greengrocer.
