\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.firstcoastnews.com\/assets\/shared-images\/icons\/arrow-circle-down.svg\"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\nAtlantic Beach city commissioners are reviewing plans for a Dollar General Market to add a grocery store in an area that lost two grocers in the past 15 years.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 One of the largest food deserts in Duval County could get a little help.<\/p>\n
The City of Atlantic Beach is exploring a chance to build a grocery store on Mayport Road near Hanna Park.<\/p>\n
The City of Atlantic Beach purchased the property near the intersection of Wonderwood Driver and Mayport Road, which lies within the Jacksonville city limits, decades ago<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n This story continues below.
<\/p>\n
However, the commission could be willing to part ways with it if it means adding an oasis in the food desert.<\/p>\n
“I rely on my trike,” said Joseph Merle, who lives near Mayport Road. “So, it’s much easier to have a corner store where you can drive by, get the stuff you need. Milk, coffee, bread, instead of going to Publix.”<\/p>\n
Merle used to regularly ride up to Terry’s Country Store on Mayport Road to get that stuff, but after it closed in 2022, he finds himself taking much longer trips.<\/p>\n
“I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one, but a lot of neighborhood people miss it,” said Merle.<\/p>\n
Between Terry’s closing and the Food Lion leaving Mayport back in 2012, Merle now rides his trike through what the USDA considers a food desert<\/a>, a low-income census tract where a significant number of residents live more than a mile from the nearest large grocery store or supermarket.<\/p>\n