Historic store reopening to revitalize Jacksonville’s Eastside

Jacksonville, Fla. — A piece of history is being brought back to life on Jacksonville’s Eastside.

Deb’s Store is being restored.

”I grew up going in the store,” said Eastside native Honey Holzendorf. ”There’s four generations of females that shopped in this store.”

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Deb’s Store closed in 2011 after 90 years in business.

The Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation and LIFT Jax are now restoring it to offer fresh food to the community.

Right now, that area of town is considered a food desert.

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“It’s bringing back some things for the community that were lost,” said Holzendorf.

The second floor of Deb’s will have a different purpose.

Goodwill will open a career service center where community members can get help applying for jobs.

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David Garfunkel, president of LIFT Jax, is spearheading the project.

He said the store will be ready to open in a year.

“Folks spend a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of effort to get access to healthy food. So having it locally here easily accessible. Walking, biking makes having access to healthy food an easy choice,” said Garfunkel.

Bur for neighbors like Holzendorf, the project is restoring a historic landmark.

“For those of us who are generations down, we never forgot that this is always home,” she said.

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