KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — There was a time not long ago that if you wanted to buy groceries and you lived in downtown Kalamazoo, you would have to jump in a car or into a bus and head for a big box store in the suburbs, but that’s changing.
Monday, Bronson Methodist Hospital opened what they are calling a Micro-grocery at their facility on John Street.
It offers a variety of fresh, locally produced meats, cheeses, bread, fruits and veggies, as part of their partnership with the KVCC Food Innovation center located next door.
The goal is to provide healthy food with all the other healthy things going on at the facility.
While it’s primarily for the benefit of Hospital employees, its open to the public.
Downtown shoppers now have several choices.
The Park Street Market on North Park is currently the closest full service grocery.
The Midtown Fresh Market opened last fall in the South Vine Street Neighborhood.
The Market on Michigan announced it will open this spring right at Michigan and Portage downtown.
There has always been the H & B Market on Portage Street.
The Upjohn Institute recently called downtown a “food desert” but they may have to reassess that analysis soon.
More information can be found on Bronson’s website.
(copy written by John McNeill)
