OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Market at Eastpoint, in Northeast OKC, is celebrating five years of breaking barriers, exceeding expectations, and feeding the family. RestoreOKC calls it a miracle.
“I really just want to bring back healthy, fresh food where you know where it’s coming from,” said Ellie Daniels.
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‘Ellie’s Cajun Kitchen’ is cultivated from the love of food Daniels learned from her father, Nathaniel Shoulders Jr., and grandmother, Bennie Lois Marshall.
“Bringing those roots back to family. Good recipes. Things that make you warm and feel good inside,” said Daniels.
Like dozens of others, her local business needed a boost. The Market at Eastpoint helps them move from online to storefront.
Tuesday, Ellie’s Cajun Kitchen Melon Ball Lemonade was sitting on the shelf.
“It’s my own personal recipe,” she said.
Caylee Dodson, with the director of RestoreOKC, said that’s their mission, along with providing nutrition for neighbors.
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“People want fresh produce at accessible price points,” said Dodson.
Years ago, the last grocery store suddenly closed in Northeast OKC, where there’s an 18-year life expectancy gap, due to lack of healthy food access.
A quick trip to the store became a long haul.
“[It became] A 2-hour round trip community, by bus,” said Dodson. “That was not doable for a largely transit-dependent community.”
The community didn’t want food drives. They wanted a store.
The city, RestoreOKC, and community partners put The Market at Eastpoint together.
Dodson said now, produce sales triple the national average.
They’ve created more than 180 jobs and are generating more than $7.5 million for the local economy.
“It is the little store that could, that’s exactly what it is,” said Dodson. “And it’s the store that keeps ‘could-ing’!”
It’s more than a food store.
It’s a place full of friendly faces.
For Daniels, it’s a dream now reality that would make Dad and Grandma proud.
“I would tell her, ‘I love you. And we made it,’” said Daniels.
RestoreOKC is also currently raising funds to save the Homeland, and NE 36th and Lincoln, from closing, while the chain is making hard choices to stay afloat.
RestoreOKC now knows they need to raise $7.5 million dollars by the end of the year. They are confident the money will come.
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