In a significant step toward addressing food insecurity and revitalizing the heart of the city, Azalea Fresh Market, a city-backed initiative, just opened its doors in downtown Atlanta.
Azalea Fresh Market opened its doors on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, according to Atlanta officials.
The new grocery store marks the city’s first municipal grocery initiative, filling a critical gap left by the closure of a longtime Walgreens location and combating the area’s longstanding status as a food desert.
What Is Azalea Fresh Market?
Azalea Fresh Market is a two-story grocery store and market, operated by Savi Provisions in partnership with the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The store promises to bring fresh produce, locally sourced meats, grab-and-go meals, prepared foods, and everyday essentials to an underserved neighborhood.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, emphasizing the store’s role in his broader vision for a thriving downtown.
“We have been in a food desert for far too long. We have to make sure we bring fresh food to where people are, where they live, where they go to work, and where students are—and this is the solution right here,” Dickens said during the event. He highlighted the market’s inviting atmosphere, noting, “Azalea Fresh Market is the right scale, it feels right, and it’s inviting.”
The mayor also discussed plans to transform downtown into a 24-hour district where people live, work, play, and now, eat, while addressing related issues like homelessness with commitments to add 500 housing units by year’s end.
The initiative stems from a collaborative effort involving city officials, Savi Provisions, the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA), local community organizations, and even students from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
The store’s design was conceptualized by 60 SCAD students, infusing it with a community-focused brand identity that personifies “Azalea” as a welcoming neighbor—approachable, warm, and committed to equity and wellness.
This branding, developed through research and strategy led by SCAD teams, aims to create an emotional connection with shoppers, using handwritten fonts, custom illustrations, and a fun, inclusive aesthetic to differentiate it from typical high-end grocers.
Where Is Azalea Fresh Market?
Azalea Fresh Market is located at 25 Peachtree Street NW in the historic Olympia Building. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Situated across from Woodruff Park and near the Five Points MARTA station and Georgia State University, the store is poised to serve a diverse clientele, including college students, downtown workers, and residents who previously lacked convenient access to affordable, nutritious food.
The Olympia Building, a nearly 100-year-old landmark topped with an iconic Coca-Cola clock, has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s when it housed businesses like Tom Pitt’s Soda Fountain and later bank branches.
Where Is Azalea Fresh Market Located?
Azalea Fresh Market is located at 25 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 in Little Five Points in downtown Atlanta. Here’s a map to help you find it.
After a $3.5 million investment from the city, the space underwent a full renovation to restore its Art Deco facade and adapt it for modern grocery use. The former Walgreens, which closed in April 2024 amid shifting market dynamics, had been a staple for seven years but left a void that sparked community outcry, including a Change.org petition with nearly 800 signatures urging its reopening.
Photo credit: City of Atlanta
Jada Powell, the market’s general manager, underscored the store’s accessibility during the opening. “Being able to have access to a grocery store when you don’t have a car—this is a downtown area,” she said.
The location’s walkability is a game-changer for Georgia State University students, many of whom rely on public transit.
One student, speaking anonymously to local reporters, expressed excitement: “Having a grocery store within walking distance will have a major impact on our lives—no more long trips for basics.”
With 14% of Atlanta residents facing food insecurity, particularly in low-income, low-access areas as designated by the USDA, Azalea Fresh Market is more than a retail space—it’s a beacon of economic growth and job creation.
The store is already hiring enthusiastic team members for roles starting at $15 per hour, focusing on stocking shelves, customer engagement, and maintaining a clean environment. Features like a Dope Coffee kiosk and sushi options add a modern twist, blending convenience with elevated experiences.
Savi Provisions President Paul Nair, who led the tour for dignitaries including Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich, described the project as a “vision coming true.”
The market’s emphasis on affordability ensures that “no matter who you are, no matter what your income is, you can get some quality groceries at a good price.”
As downtown Atlanta continues to evolve, Azalea Fresh Market stands as a testament to innovative public-private partnerships
Early visitors on opening day praised the clean, well-lit aisles stocked with fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-end treats like Tony’s Chocolonely bars, evoking the feel of a neighborhood Publix. The store’s grand opening aligns with Mayor Dickens’ fresh food access initiatives, signaling hope for similar projects in other underserved areas.
For more information or to visit, head to Azalea Fresh Market at 25 Peachtree St. NW, open daily with hours to be announced on their website
Local residents are encouraged to stop by and experience the fresh start this market brings to the community.
Final Word
High groceries and food insecurity are big issues in Atlanta. Want to save money on groceries and cut your bill in half? Of course, you do.
What other activities might you enjoy around Atlanta? Take a ride to the metro mountains of Atlanta. Or you might want to get physical by playing basketball around the city. Here’s more awesome and adventurous things to do around Atlanta.