The Market on Prospect

Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI), in partnership with Meritus Health, will be opening a full-service grocery store in the Hagerstown Core. This store will be operated by Horizon Goodwill Industries at their downtown facility on Prospect Street. The venture will provide fresh food and household staples to the entire downtown area of Hagerstown, which has been defined by the USDA as a “food desert.”

Tentatively called “The Market on Prospect”, this project was sparked by a conversation between the leadership of HGI, Meritus Health, and the Washington County Community Action Council around the Healthy Washington County Go For Bold initiative that launched in early 2020. That conversation centered on the challenges faced by many downtown residents with obtaining healthy food items and the resulting negative impact on the community’s health. Households within this area do not have easy access to a traditional grocery store and must often rely on public transportation or walk great distances to reach conventional grocery stores. While convenience stores and fast-food restaurants are within easy reach, prices and selections are not health-oriented or affordable for many families.

Given HGI’s experience in retail operations and passion for working together to address community challenges, it felt appropriate for HGI to take the lead in bringing this project to life. In addition to helping alleviate the food desert condition, the opening of a downtown grocery store will lead to additional jobs and allows us to introduce job training opportunities in grocery retail, creating new career pathways and supporting other employers in this sector.

The store will be located at 200 North Prospect Street in a portion of the HGI Mission Services building. Individuals who may benefit from HGI workforce development services will be able to access case managers that can provide support for ongoing issues with employment, job skills, family concerns, and other social issues.

Images of the Project: