Universal listed that on the private market for sale, which is odd, since their website points to the "minimart" as key to their urban renewal strategy that will be replicated at the MLK plaza site while hiring locally. Public funds were used to build and get the project up and running.
Since the building was listed for sale on Trend database used by real estate agents, it is likely that it was marketed to the conventional restaurant/franchise market, IMO. Universal representatives did not talk about selling the minimart at the last meeting held by SOSNA.
Here is the blurb on the minimart, however, from
www.universalcompanies.org
"Universal Retail Company, Inc. (URC), was established as a for profit corporation to serve as the holding company for the establishment of various retail and service businesses in the community. URC opened its first business endeavor the Universal Mini Market on July 2, 2001.This grocery/deli is located at 18th & Christian Streets a 2000 sq. ft. one story facility modeled after 7-11 and WaWa stores to provide quality hot & cold food and convenient items. The Mini Market workforce consist of eight (8) to ten (10) full time employees with 50 % being from the community. Universal Mini Market is addressing the concerns of neighbors who are restricted in their travel and would like to patronize a store, which is clean, well lighted and professionally operated. URC will continue to address the community needs by establishing other businesses within the neighborhood."
08-26-2005, 06:52 PM
19th and Christian
