When developers came to the Old North Durham Neighborhood Association (ONDNA) potluck in February 2007 and told them about their future buildings and businesses, the question asked was "Can we have a grocery store?" The answer was, "Sure... if you want one.... and you do the footwork."

A group from OND formed with other interested people to see about just that: could we have a natural foods store/market/meeting place in our area? After conducting a feasibility study, the answer is yes, given the current and future residences and businesses in OND, Durham Central Park, downtown, and nearby neighborhoods.

The grocery group then approached the Durham Food Coop (on Chapel Hill Street) with the question of taking up this project. It just so happened that, at the same time, the DFC was undergoing a discussion about the future of that organization, with the subject of relocating frequently surfacing. At that time the DFC board decided that the organization needed to focus on its current operations and would stay in its current location, but encouraged interested members to talk to the other neighborhoods to see what was out there. Thus, some members from DFC joined those from OND, and a new group was formed. In a spirit of cooperation our group moved forward to form its own vision: a cooperative for-profit business, based on the Weaver Street and Chatham Marketplace models. We have given it a working name of Durham Central Market. (DCM).

The next step in organizing has been to create bylaws which form the business's foundation. With bylaws in hand now we are fully incorporated, and kicked off our owner share drive at the Festival for the Eno 2008. Although anyone will be able to shop at the market, owner shares are a good faith investment in the community business and may provide additional benefits. We will also solicit member loans, terms to be worked out with DCM.

In May 2010, we reported our success in securing an option on a location for Durham Central Market, on Mangum Street between Hunt and Broadway Streets, close to downtown. On this currently vacant plot of land, we plan to build a 10,000 square foot store, with a parking lot and 3500 sq. feet of green space. In late May we surveyed our current owners to invite their feedback on the site. With a 48% response rate, 97% of those who responded said they will shop at the location.

Our next steps include building connections in the neighborhood, securing commitments from the City, and, importantly, the raising of funds. We will be conducting a capital campaign to give owners the opportunity to invest in Durham Central Market through the mechanism of owner loans, and are are focused on building our ownership base, with a goal of 1000 owners by the end of 2010.