Editorial: City Affairs:
There’s a Market for It

The departure of Blue Heaven, better known as Rexall, and the impending arrival of Walgreens has added to concerns of corporate takeover of Telegraph Avenue. But lost amidst these fears was what would be taking the market’s place and eventually competing with the chain drug store. The recently revealed replacement, a Fred’s Market, is a much-needed addition to the area surrounding campus.

A Fred’s Market should allay concerns about corporatization. It’s a good example of a family-owned, local business that has managed to thrive. Multiple members of the Ayyad family work at the three stores that have managed to survive where other Berkeley businesses have folded.

The principal advantage that a Fred’s Market will bring is a selection of produce. Rexall was not geared towards providing anything without a package or free of preservatives, and the coming Walgreens doesn’t seem likely to do so either. It’s hardly a secret that college student suffer from a lack of fruits and vegetables. Having a fresh food market near campus is an obvious solution.

But Southside is in need of more than just bananas and lettuce. Stereotypes to the contrary, an area stocked with students cannot survive on ramen alone. By carrying more real food, Fred’s will be filling a vacuum. It just isn’t practical to expect students, most of whom don’t have cars, to walk all the way to Andronico’s or Safeway.

Students aren’t the only group on campus who will be impacted by having a more diverse food selection near campus. Of the dozens of events that the university hosts each day, many provide food and drink as an enticement. Now, a last-minute change of plans won’t sink a poetry reading or scholarly debate.

Telegraph markets don’t have a spotless record of success—just look at the Berkeley Market. But the convenience a Fred’s could bring is worth a try.

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