City leaders and a Birmingham grocery store owner are joining forces to solve a long-standing problem: many residents lack nearby access to fresh groceries.
The city is investing $850,000 to open a new Carver Jones location, addressing food insecurity for roughly 70% of residents, or 150,000 people, according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Carver Jones Returns to Birmingham
Carver Jones first opened in Fairfield in July 2024 but closed in September 2025. The new location will be at the Heritage Towne Center, an area the city identified as a food desert.
The announcement has sparked excitement in the community.
Samantha Cole, a former resident nearby, said, “They’ll be able to just come and walk. If people have to Uber, you won’t have to pay $20 or $30 to get to Hueytown for food. It’ll be more convenient. It’s right here in the neighborhood.”
Convenience for Local Residents
For neighbors like Tamika Blotker, the store means easier access to daily essentials. “I won’t have to go out of my way to Homewood or Walmart. I can just come up here and get what I need. We need a grocery store. I’m tired of shopping online,” she said.
Plans and Community Impact
Owner James Harris emphasized the broader impact of the new store. “This is not simply an opportunity. It’s a problem we have to solve to help everybody in the community, especially the elderly and those without transportation. We want them to get quality products at affordable prices.”
The store is expected to open in late March or early April. It will feature a pharmacy, fresh meat cutting, and a staffing goal where 50% of employees, including college students and retirees, come from the neighborhood it serves.
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