Hispanic grocer in Charlotte to expand in community that lacks grocery stores
An international Hispanic Charlotte grocery market has plans to expand again, this time in a food desert.
Dany’s Supermarket submitted a commercial alteration permit for 221 Heathway Drive in northeast Charlotte. The construction plan calls for a total interior and exterior construction cost of $510,000, the July 3 city of Charlotte filing shows.
The grocer's website touts its fresh produce, full-service fish market and custom-cutting meat department serving “numerous ethnicities and nationalities.”
The 1.2-acre site at the corner of Heathway Drive and North Tryon Street is in the Newell and Hidden Valley neighborhoods. Both are considered food deserts, meaning at least 500 residents live more than 1 mile from a large supermarket.
SMD 6733 LLC, registered to Felix Daniel Reyes, purchased the over 9,400-square-foot former Dollar General building in January for nearly $2.2 million, Mecklenburg County property records show. The limited liability company listed as supermarket is registered to Reyes, president of Dany’s, N.C. Secretary of State records show.
Dany’s officials did not respond to a request for comment by Wednesday.
More on Charlotte food deserts
Dany’s Supermarket has another location about 4 miles away from the North Tryon site at 6129 The Plaza.
That store has been open for at least the last nine years, social media posts show. The east Charlotte area also is considered a food desert.
The lack of traditional grocery stores is an ongoing problem on the west side of Charlotte, and some parts in the east, an analysis by The Charlotte Observer in 2023 found. The disparities also disproportionately affect people of color, the Observer found.
About 15% of Mecklenburg residents live in a food desert — higher than the national average of 11%. Deserts exist despite a fierce grocery store competition with record sales of over $10.8 billion last year and a growing number of stores totalling 737.
Food deserts persist in areas that researchers define as low-income neighborhoods without access to a full-service grocery store or supermarket.
And while the former Dollar General provided access to some groceries, such retailers lack fresh food options or products that meet dietary needs, compared to supermarkets like Dany’s, and higher prices than traditional grocers that offer more variety by size.
Another international grocer is expanding in Charlotte
Dany’s is the latest Hispanic grocer to expand in east Charlotte.
El Rey Supermarket plans to open at 7115 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. The nearly 11,200-square-foot store will be the second location, with the first opening 16 years ago at 6300 South Blvd.
The specialty grocer stocks majority Mexican products, as well items from El Salvador, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and other countries. The second location is expected to open this summer.
