Salem's Market opens in Pittsburgh's Hill District, ending food desert
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- For years, people living in Pittsburgh's Hill District have had to travel miles to get groceries, but that all changed Thursday when Salem's Market opened its doors.
Born and raised in the Hill District, Cheryl Ketchum is used to shopping all over the place for groceries, taking up more time and gas.
"It's been a great big hassle," Ketchum said. "I've been going to the South Side, East Liberty, North Side."
For others, that means a bus ride.
Now they won't have to worry, as Salem's Market fills the void missing in the neighborhood since 2019, when the Shop 'n Save off Centre Avenue closed down and made the neighborhood a food desert.
It's a business expansion for Abdullah Salem, who also has a shop in the Strip District.
"This has been a vision honestly since I was a kid. I've worked at this business my whole life and I've always wanted to have a market where people from everywhere can get everything that they wanted all in one location," Salem said.
The total development was expected to cost nearly $7 million to develop the 30,000 square-foot store. He wants the grocery to represent all of Pittsburgh, with a diversity of products.
"Those are whole fresh coconuts that you can drink right away. We have fresh curry leaves, fresh turmeric leaves, chilies from everywhere," Salem said.
He's working to get a staff, with 50 percent from the Hill.
Sharon Speaks is one of them.
"I'm glad they gave me an opportunity to be a part of this," Speaks said.
She's a cashier, happy to be a part of the change. Speaks said the community and the store will need to work together to make sure it flourishes.
"If they're going to help us, help them, the store, to keep it in the neighborhood," Speaks said.
"I hope this is the beginning of great things for the Hill District," Ketchum said.
Salem calls this a soft opening. The bakery will open in a few days, the deli is expected to open in a few weeks, and the restaurant will open in about a month. A grand opening will happen around the end of April.
"I'm very excited, I'm honored, and I'm happy," said owner Abullah Salem during an interview with KDKA-TV. "I'm happy to say Salem's finally, through all the hard work has finally got the grocery store open. It's a vision we've been working on for years, expanding our concept. We've always said we're the closest thing to 'back home,' no matter where you're from, and I really think this store represents that. There are products from everywhere, no matter what you want to eat. no matter what you're feeling like tonight, I think you'll find it in the store. And most importantly, the Hill is no longer a food desert as of today, and I'm very excited and honored to be a part of the hard work that everyone has been doing here. I just want to give thanks to everyone in the Hill District for the support. Everyone from the Mayor's office, Councilman Lavelle's office, the URA, Key Bank, Bridgeway Capital, Neighborhood Allies, and everyone who supported us in this long endeavor."
The shop is still hiring and looking for folks from the neighborhood. If you're interested, you can apply online.
