A grocery store specializing in the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, is set to open its first location in Denton this October.
Grocery Services North’s new location at 306 N. Loop 288, Denton, will operate as a counter-service store, said Alex Lopez, the company’s director of store openings.
“We understand how hard it is to go and shop in a traditional grocery store, and ... we're trying to get those families all of their benefits without them having to struggle at the traditional grocery experience,” Lopez said.
The details
At the store, families can shop for fresh, WIC-approved products, baby formula and other essentials. The model at the over 2,000 square-foot store aims to help eligible families redeem their benefits more conveniently, Lopez said.
“Our store associates go through the list with the customer in a very detailed manner, where they can explain to the customer what they have, what options they can choose,” Lopez said. “We have booklets, they have pictures, everything is there for the customer.”
The background
The new store is opening through a partnership with Serve Denton, a nonprofit campus that houses dozens of organizations under one roof and helps partners customize spaces to fit their mission, according to the Serve Denton website.
The location was previously home to a WIC clinic, meaning some program participants may already be familiar with the site, said Reina Sandoval, Grocery Services North’s senior district manager for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Grocery Services North chose the Denton site based on its proximity to WIC clinics and the absence of a similar store already serving the area, Lopez said.
The company operates other WIC-only grocery stores across Texas, including in Fort Worth and Austin, and opened a Lewisville location this summer, Lopez said.
Next steps
Grocery Services North is hiring store associates ahead of the October opening. Hours are expected to run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, Lopez said.
“We really hope this is a great source for families to find all their WIC needs,” Lopez said.
