Our Approach

NE Oklahoma City fought hard to overcome the reality of being a food desert, and when the grocery store at NE 36th and Lincoln opened in 2021, it restored access to fresh food and essential goods for thousands of families. Now, with this regional grocery anchor at risk of closure due to industry changes, RestoreOKC is stepping forward to stabilize the site and transition it into a community-rooted asset. This effort builds upon the successful foundation laid over the last five years at The Market at Eastpoint, where RestoreOKC has already operated a grocery store as a social enterprise in partnership with Homeland. By transitioning to community ownership, we believe that we can secure an $11 million ANNUAL economic engine that serves more than 43,000 residents and protects over 60 local jobs per year.

This project represents more than saving a store; it is a strategic intervention to prevent a "disinvestment penalty" that the Brookings Institute estimates costs ten times more than strategic preservation. By reactivating underutilized space as a co-located community resource hub, we plan to "braid" partners across food access, health navigation, and economic mobility helping families to address root causes of instability. And, the impact is measurable: on average under braided partnership a $30,000 investment delivers an estimated $500,000+ return in avoided public system costs.

Ultimately, stabilizing the grocery anchor at NE 36th and Lincoln secures the "hardware" necessary to run supportive programs that move individuals from state reliance into the active labor force. Each person transitioned to stable employment generates an average annual stabilization value of $30,625, strengthening the local tax base and reducing the long-term strain on state health and commerce systems. With a total investment of $10.2 million, we can protect this vital health and economic engine, ensuring that neighborhood wealth continues to circulate within Northeast Oklahoma City and creating a resilient infrastructure where families can truly thrive.