Twenty-five years in the making, according to Alia Bilal, IMAN’s deputy executive director, the Fresh Market is a re-imagined model of the traditional neighborhood corner store that is centered on health, wellness and healing with its inventory of fresh produce, vegan and gluten-free foods. Urban farmers, local food vendors and entrepreneurs can sell their products through the market on the ground level while residents can attend wellness classes on the second story. Bilal and Sana Syed, IMAN’s senior director of strategic initiatives, said access to healthy food through the Fresh Market is part of a vision that will strengthen the 63rd Street corridor and serve as an anchor in the ecosystem of future developments in the Englewood area.
