Kandies Mini Mart has opened its doors in the Dexter-Linwood neighborhood, marking the first ribbon cutting for Detroit’s Green Grocer Program since its relaunch in 2024. The new grocery section operates within Kandies sandwich shop and catering business, owned by Jacquisha Blackwell, and aims to provide fresh food and grocery essentials to local residents.
Blackwell received a $25,000 grant from the Green Grocer Program, which was used to purchase refrigeration equipment, shelving, and upgrade electrical systems to support the expansion. She said, “In this neighborhood, there isn’t a walkable grocery store nearby, so families are often forced to rely on fast food or convenience stores. Kandies Mini Market 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 Green Grocer Program is managed by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) in partnership with the City of Detroit. It focuses on supporting small-format grocers and hybrid food retailers that increase access to healthy foods in residential areas.
Mayor Mary Sheffield attended the opening event alongside DEGC officials and community leaders. Sheffield stated, “Every corner of our city deserves this type of investment. 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.”
The program originally launched in 2010 but paused operations in 2017 due to funding constraints. In its first phase from 2010-2017, it generated over $50 million in investment across Detroit’s grocery sector, supported more than 40 businesses with technical assistance and loans, and helped create 115 jobs at 14 stores.
Detroit City Council President Pro Tempore At-Large Coleman A. Young II advocated for bringing back the program after a seven-year break. He commented: “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.”
Sean Gray of DEGC noted Blackwell’s connection with her community: “Jacquisha didn’t need us to tell her what her neighborhood needs. She was already serving her community. 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 currently employs seven staff members—most of whom are local youth—and works with organizations such as Grow Detroit’s Young Talent and Legacy Youth Travel to offer job training and mentorship.
Reflecting on her journey with the program, Blackwell said: “God placed me exactly where I needed to be. 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.”
Additional businesses are expected to participate as the Green Grocer Program continues its expansion efforts across Detroit neighborhoods.
More information about the Green Grocer Program can be found at https://degc.org/greengrocer.
