The Atlas Exchange hopes to bring fresh and local to Manchester

The Atlas Exchange is hoping to raise $50,000 to build “a modern take on the old fashioned hometown local grocer” in Manchester.

Hi. I’m Anita and I’m building the Atlas Exchange, a modern take on the old fashioned hometown local grocer. Manchester is being rediscovered as “hip” place to live, but it’s underserved by grocers and markets.

We have an entire neighborhood of young professionals living in state-of-the-art loft apartments built within reclaimed industrial buildings; we have dog parks, art galleries and tons of parking but not a single place to pick up a carton of milk or a head of lettuce. A section of Richmond once booked as “up and coming,” this area is now a full-fledged hip place to be. Except for one little thing – we’re hungry and inconvenienced.

Ours will be the only locally sourced market in the area so it has to be great. We are going to work with all of the region’s farmers and artisans to bring the best selections of slow, fresh produce, dairy and meats to Manchester. We’ll also host artists from Manchester and surrounding areas in Richmond – offering them free hanging space each month. Richmond is proud of its artists and creators – and so are we.

We hope to raise $50,000 to cover the cost of building out the space and stocking the store so we can open before the end of the year. We need to finish two walls, treat the floors, build shelves, buy a fridge, stock them and finish setting up our online ordering system. Atlas Exchange hopes to host a CSA program for folks on this side of Richmond and with your help we can make all of this happen.

In exchange, we’re offering some great perks –including printed canvas shopping bags, t-shirts, thank you cards, custom built websites, mentions on our website and a free one-year CSA membership. Your contribution will help us build a space filled with fresh food and local art, and further, it will help bring community supported agriculture to a completely underserved community. Thanks!

Atlas Exchange
715 East 4th Street
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