Carolina Farmin,' a farm-fresh grocery store, prepares to open in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - We got an exclusive look inside Carolina Farmin', a new community grocery store that's opening next week at 2101 Market Street.

Workers are putting the finishing touches in place, preparing for the grand opening celebration, which will be held August 4-7.

The owner, Wayne Long, said his vision is to open a farm fresh grocer.

"We are going to be a community grocery store that people can depend on to have what they want and to have local, farm fresh products," he said.

Long is opening Carolina Farmin' to serve downtown Wilmington. He's adding a fresh twist by selling locally farmed produce, meats and seafood.

Long grew up in Shallotte, where his father owned a small community grocery store.

Today, he owns and cultivates a 40 acre farm, Prospect Farms, also in Shallotte.

"For the first time, they have someone who understands the farming side of it," he said of his relationship with the community vendors. "We're looking for long term relationships with growers."

The shop hired 90 employees, just one way it's boosting the local economy.

The employees at Carolina Farmin' have a saying they use quite frequently.

"The corn you bought here probably slept in the field last night," said Angela Koch, Carolina Farmin' Community Development Manager.

And the fish you buy will likely have just come from the waters off of North Carolina, courtesy Brett Blackburn. His fishery, located in Carolina Beach, will supply Carolina Farmin' with fresh, local seafood.

"His concept falls right into line with my family's concept, providing North Carolinians with fresh, local product," he said.

For more on Carolina Farmin', head to the website http://www.carolinafarmin.com.

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