AUGUSTA, Ga. - A new grocery option is coming to Washington Crossing, where Whole Foods Market used to be. It's called FreshTake and the first of its kind concept is set to open its first store front in Augusta.

Since Whole Foods closed six years ago, dining and retail like Bonefish, DSW, and Home Goods have been without an anchor. Store Manager for DSW, Arlene Nelson, believes the experience style grocery store will bringing the missing piece back the plaza has needed for a while.

"That's been vacant since 2017, since Whole Foods left?" Nelson says. "I need something here and that's coming. I know they've said Trader Joes, they've said Publix, but really nothing happened until Jackson came along and said, ""I'm here for you guys." I'm really excited, it's going to be exciting for the community I believe."

28-year-old Jackson Mitchell came up with the concept, which offers a 'FreshTake' on the traditional grocery store experience. Mitchell, who's opened grocery stores throughout Atlanta like Giant Farmer's Market, is excited to bring something new to Washington Road.

"When looking for the perfect location for FreshTake, this is the first one," the CEO says. "Augusta was really attractive in terms of population density and something that wasn't here as far as experienced base shopping. So, we really feel like we're bringing something brand new that Augusta hasn't seen before."

Like a traditional grocery store, FreshTake will allow shopper to take fresh food away. It will offer delivery, pick up and catering options.

"We will be in line with all of our competitors," he says. "We're not going to be high prices and then we will offer all of those other amenities. It will really be a great concept."

Mitchell says it will meet the shoppers needs all under one roof with a pharmacy, Starbucks, beer and wine bar and plenty of prepared food options. It will also offer dining and entertainment with a BBQ restaurant on the patio and a 5-hole putting green.

"I mean you can even serve wine and beer, who wouldn't want that?" Nelson says. "After work, let's have a drink."

Construction will begin in two weeks and they plan to open June 2024.

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