Six smiling grocery store employees posing together in a store aisle stocked with cleaning and household products — Gary Avenue Market employees inside Fairfield’s new grocery store. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

For residents of the west Jefferson County city of Fairfield, grocery shopping just got a whole lot easier. The newly opened Gary Avenue Market officially celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, June 2, bringing fresh groceries and a renewed sense of community to Fairfield’s historic downtown.

Gary Avenue Market is a fresh start for Fairfield

Exterior of Gary Avenue Market, a two-story commercial building with signage for Fresh Produce and Fresh Meat Market, with cars parked in front — The Gary Avenue Market is a new grocery store bringing fresh, healthy food to Fairfield. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Earlier this week, Fairfield residents, local leaders and other supporters packed Gary Avenue Market to celebrate the grand opening of the city’s new grocery store. According to Phaye Wilson—Director of Development for Manifold Vision, the church planting ministry behind the project—the event marked a fresh start for Fairfield’s downtown corridor.

“The grand opening was one of the most encouraging things I’ve been able part of in a very long time. The store was packed, the food court was full and people were excited to see this space come back to life. It was a new, fresh start for the city of Fairfield.”
Phaye Wilson, Director of Development, Manifold Vision

Grocery store dairy and egg aisle with glass-door refrigerated cases stocked with milk, eggs, yogurt, and juice — Fresh dairy produces at the Gary Avenue Market. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Located at 4800 Gary Avenue, the Gary Avenue Market follows the closure of Carver Jones Market, a grocery store that opened in the same building in 2024. After the owner/operator of the Carver Jones Market closed the store in 2025, longtime entrepreneur and Magic City Grill owner Payne White stepped up to reopen the grocery store in Fairfield.

“Mr. White understood how important it was for Fairfield to continue having access to fresh food. This community does not give up. Even after the previous operator left, the goal remained the same: Fairfield deserves a grocery store, Fairfield deserves investment, and Fairfield deserves businesses that continue believing in the people who live here.”
Phaye Wilson, Director of Development, Manifold Vision

Grocery store aisle lined with fully stocked shelves of canned foods, beverages, and household products under aisle 4 sign — Stocked shelves in the Gary Avenue Market in Fairfield. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

According to Director Wilson, the new market was made possible through a broad coalition of supporters who shared a belief in Fairfield’s future and invested in the community’s long-term success.

“People from across our city came together to help make this grocery store possible. Millions of dollars were invested from across community lines by individuals and partners who believed in Fairfield and were motivated by the vision of community restoration championed through Manifold Vision and Urban Hope Community Church.”
Phaye Wilson, Director of Development, Manifold Vision

The Gary Avenue Market has fresh produce, fresh-cut meats and an eatery at affordable prices

Interior of a grocery store with fully stocked aisles of snacks and cleaning supplies under a wood-paneled ceiling with industrial lighting — Stocked shelves in the Gary Avenue Market in Fairfield. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

While the Gary Avenue Market offers traditional grocery staples at affordable prices, shoppers will find much more than produce and pantry items inside the walls of the new market.

The store includes a dedicated meat market featuring fresh-cut meats, one of the most requested additions from the community.

“The community was very vocal about the fact that we needed some type of meat market. For us to be able to offer fresh meats at a price point people can afford, that’s a huge deal.”
Phaye Wilson, Director of Development, Manifold Vision

Packaged cuts of raw beef on a grocery store meat case shelf, labeled Gary Avenue Market at $14.09 — The Gary Avenue Market offers fresh meat cut in-store at affordable prices. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The market also features an eatery serving pizza, salads, ice cream and other grab-and-go options. According to Wilson, the dining area has already become a gathering spot for Fairfield residents.

“What I’m seeing is that it becomes a community hub. People are coming in with laptops, enjoying a slice of pizza, getting some work done. I’ve had meetings here myself!”
Phaye Wilson, Director of Development, Manifold Vision

What’s next for the Gary Avenue Market in Fairfield?

Exterior of a Fresh Produce and Fresh Meats Market storefront on Gary Avenue, with a window banner advertising fresh meats cut daily — The Gary Avenue Market is open Monday through Saturday from 7AM to 7PM, and closed on Sundays. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

As a community-focused organization, the Gary Avenue Market’s mission extends beyond groceries. Starting this summer, the Gary Avenue Market will host a cooking class series every third Saturday of the month. Sponsored by Homewood Gourmet and UAB Teaching Kitchen, the classes will teach residents new recipes while providing participants with free bags of produce tied to each lesson.

Gary Avenue Market: 205.469.7454 | Website | Facebook
Address: 4800 Gary Ave, Fairfield, AL 35064
Hours: 7AM to 7PM, Monday through Saturday; closed on Sundays

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