Community attends grand opening for 1st grocery store in Cairo, Ill. in 7 years

CAIRO, Ill. (KFVS) - The grand opening for Rise Community Market in Cairo was Friday, June 16.

The event started at 10 a.m. at 3010 Sycamore Street with a ribbon cutting.

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton attended the event.

The market was completed with funding through memberships, shareholders and grants from the University of Illinois, R3 and Builder’s Initiative.

“It’s a great day in the neighborhood, history has been made,” said Cairo resident, Trina Mayfield.

Excitement on the community members’ faces can be seen as a new grocery store in Cairo opens for business.

“We’ve been a food Desert for a while so we’re happy to have this local store to purchase things that we need,” said Mayfield.

The store will have everything from meat, fresh produced, canned items and much more. It’s something that will allow people to avoid traveling miles and miles for groceries.

”My grandkids will be able to come to the store. I don’t have to drive 30 miles to pick up some strawberries and maybe some special kind of cake. This is wonderful,” said Cairo resident, Sandra Tarver.

It’s been more than 7 years since Cairo has had a grocery store. Mayor Thomas Simpson said this new store brings multiple benefits to the town.

”The market philosophy of working together for the common good to promote community wellbeing and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Cairo and play a major role in the local economy,” said Simpson.

The store is CO-OP Style, which means the community owns it and as many check out what’s inside, they know they have to continue to support the Rise Community Market.

”We’re going to support this store and I know we’re going to support it cause this is what we need in our community,“ said Tarver.

The market is still looking to hire part time and full time employees.