JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After more than a decade, a beloved Jacksonville grocery store is returning, aiming to end the neighborhood’s food desert and bring more than just food to the table.
After closing its doors more than a decade ago, Debs Store has returned to the Eastside with a new name, a new mission, and a lot of community support. Now known as The Corner at Debs Store, this neighborhood landmark is once again serving the community, blending history, healthy food, and hope under one roof.
Located on Florida Avenue, The Corner at Debs Store isn’t just the newest grocery store in the Eastside — it’s the return of a local institution, rebuilt with history in its walls and fresh hope on every shelf.
For nearly a century, the original Debs Store was the heartbeat of the neighborhood. Sibuca Ware, regional manager, recalls, “It was really one of the staples of the East Side neighborhood. Back in the day, they even gave credit to customers who couldn’t afford to pay right then. They were the darling of the neighborhood.”
When Debs Store closed in 2011, the area became a food desert, leaving residents with few options for fresh and healthy groceries. Now, Debs is back — and it’s offering even more.
From fresh meats to fruits and vegetables, the store’s focus is on healthy, accessible food. “We’re operating in a food desert,” Ware explains. “The number one goal was to provide fresh produce, fresh meat, healthy products for a neighborhood that didn’t have access to it. We believe everyone deserves access to quality food.”
The Corner at Debs Store now employs nearly 20 people, half of whom are Eastside residents. For many shoppers, walking through the doors again is an emotional experience.
Store manager Tarra Middleton shares, “We see fifth-generation families, people who were sent as children to get groceries. They come back and say, ‘Thank you so much for returning to this community.’ It means a lot to them, and now they have the opportunity to bring their own families and shop.”
It’s not just Eastside residents who are returning. Neighbors from nearby Springfield are shopping at the store as well. “Once they come here, they’ll come back,” Middleton says. “We have so many special items that we provide.”
The Corner at Debs Store is more than just a grocery store — it’s a symbol of community, culture, and connection. With its historic legacy reborn, the store stands as a beacon of hope and healthy living for Jacksonville’s Eastside.