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Corner Store FAQ
What is the Cultivate Hope Corner Store?
This local, nonprofit grocery store is an avenue to bring healthy, nutritious, and affordable food to the Time Check neighborhood. It is filled with fresh produce, grocery staples, affordable and healthy prepared meals, and even a selection of free produce to supplement the shopper on a budget.
Who can shop here?
Anyone and everyone are welcome – and encouraged! – to shop here, regardless of your income level. The convenient location along E Avenue and Ellis Boulevard makes it a perfect place to shop for a few essentials on your way home from work, or for those living in surrounding neighborhoods to pick up the groceries they need from a walkable location. Even if you’re from the other side of town, we’d love to have you stop by the Corner Store to support our mission – and your fellow neighbors. When you shop at the Corner Store, you’re not taking anything away from those in need, but you’re helping to support this venture so that it can continue to exist for those who are struggling.
Is this a food pantry?
The Cultivate Hope Corner Store is not a food pantry, however there is a Free Produce selection in this grocery store that allows shoppers on a tight budget to get extra fruit and veggies into their meals at home. This Free Produce section is made possible by shoppers that pay-it-forward or donate money at the register.
What if I don’t know how to cook very well?
That’s OK! We can’t all be master chefs, but shopping at the Corner Store can help get you on the right track to make healthy, nutritious meals at home. One way this can happen is by leaving the cooking to us and grabbing some of our prepared meals. We also have workshops, classes, and easy recipes available to learn how to take the good food at the Corner Store and make delicious meals at home. Visit our Events page to see upcoming workshops.
What can I buy here?
The Corner Store has fresh produce, prepared meals, a rotisserie, and lots of other grocery staples, such as milk, eggs, dairy, bread, and other pantry items. This store may not have the abundance of options found at larger grocers, but the Corner Store has all the necessities for a healthy meal.
Do you have local products?
Yes! We’re proud to support our local economy by partnering with a variety of local farmers and suppliers. Stop by the store to see what products are currently available.
When are you open?
The store is open 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Monday-Saturday. We’re closed on Sundays.
Where are you located?
The store is located at 604 Ellis Blvd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Where can I park?
There is street parking available on both E Avenue and Ellis Blvd.
How can I help the Corner Store?
It’s simple: stop by and shop with us! By purchasing even 10% of your groceries at a local store like the Corner Store helps us succeed. We have organic options as well as a house brand, providing various price points for most of our groceries. Plus, rounding up your total or adding a little extra for the Pay-it-Forward Fund will help us provide free produce to those who need to stretch their shopping budget.
If you’re looking to be more hands-on at the store, check in with our Volunteer Coordinator to see if there are any upcoming volunteer opportunities or call the office at 319-362-2214.
I don’t need free or reduced-cost groceries. If I shop at the Corner Store will I be taking resources away from people who need them?
No, your purchases at the Corner Store won’t be taking anything away from those who are struggling. In fact, when you shop at the Corner Store, you are helping to keep the store in business so that it can continue to serve those who are in need of free and reduced-cost groceries.
What is the history of the Corner Store’s building?
Named the Hosmer Building, a grocery store originally resided in this space throughout the early and mid-1900s, providing grocery staples to a growing and vibrant community. By bringing a grocery store back to the community, we hope to provide good food for the neighborhood once again.