The Corner at Debs Store, One of Jacksonville’s Hidden Gems

July 7, 2026 | 11:48 AM

Event_Banner_Image

The Corner at Debs Store

Fresh food, local pride, and community in one place.

A Jacksonville hidden gem with heart

More than a neighborhood market, The Corner at Debs Store brings fresh food, local pride, and community connection to Jacksonville’s Eastside!

The Corner at Debs Store

There are grocery stores, and then there are places like The Corner at Debs Store! One of Jacksonville's best-kept secrets, this charming neighborhood spot is so much more than your average grocery run. Think locally loved staples, unique finds you won't spot on a big box shelf, and the kind of warm, community feel that makes you want to linger a little longer. It's the kind of place you discover and immediately start telling your friends about!

  • Hours: Monday through Saturday 8am to 7pm | Sunday 10am to 6pm
  • Website: https://thecorneratdebsstore.org

Business Details

1478 N Florida Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32206-4715, United States
Learn more
image

The story you need to know

Way before Jacksonville looked the way it does today, the Historic Eastside neighborhood had Debs Store. For nearly a century, it was not just a place to grab groceries. It was THE spot. A neighborhood cornerstone where generations of Eastside families shopped, connected, and built community!

Then in 2011, the doors closed, and the Historic Eastside lost something that couldn't easily be replaced. Not just the convenience of a nearby store, but the feeling of having a place that truly belonged to the neighborhood. For years, that corner of Florida Avenue and 5th Street sat quiet.

Learn more
image

The Comeback Story

After his father's passing, the grandson of the original Debs family found himself asked an unexpected question by neighbors at the funeral: "When is the store coming back?" The community's love for the historic neighborhood market never faded, and those heartfelt conversations sparked the idea of bringing this beloved corner back to life!

With support from Goodwill Industries of North Florida, LIFT JAX, VyStar Credit Union, local organizations, and many passionate donors, the dream slowly began to take shape. Then, on 904 Day 2024, The Corner at Debs Store officially reopened its doors! After years of memories and anticipation, the neighborhood finally got its beloved corner store back. More than just a place to grab a bite or browse local goods, it's a reminder of what can happen when a community rallies around something it loves. And honestly? You can feel that energy the moment you walk through the door.

Learn more
image-0
image-1
image-2

What to expect when you walk in

People show up expecting something small and dated, but what they actually find is a beautifully restored building that feels both fresh and nostalgic! Like the building, remembering everything it used to be, decided to show up even better.

There is old signage nodding to the store's roots. Shelves full of everyday essentials. Fresh produce, coffee, grab-and-go snacks, lunch options, and locally sourced products that actually reflect the neighborhood. And something spectacular worth noting: every single item here is new and fresh. No secondhand goods whatsoever. This is a full-on grocery store with serious community heart behind it. The vibe is warm, authentic, and about as far from a corporate chain experience as you can get!

Learn more
image

What's on the shelves

The Corner at Debs Store holds a pretty impressive title: the only affordable, sustainable, healthy grocery store in Jacksonville's Historic Eastside neighborhood, and that mission is visible on every shelf!

Fresh produce, pantry staples, snacks, locally sourced products, coffee grounds and beans, and grab-and-go options are all part of the lineup. Prices are intentionally kept accessible because that is the whole point! The store also accepts SNAP and Fresh Access Bucks, making it a real, practical resource for families across the Historic Eastside and surrounding areas. For anyone hunting for budget-friendly healthy food in Jacksonville, this place is a genuine find!

Learn more
image

There's a whole second floor, too

Head upstairs and things get even cooler! The Goodwill GoodCareers Center is a no-cost, full-service career hub where anyone looking for work can tap into resources, build job search skills, and get real support in a positive environment. Open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm and completely free to use! There is also a free community event space upstairs available for reservation, complete with flexible seating, a projector, and a screen.

Right next to it is a VyStar Credit Union Financial Fitness Center where specialists are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am to 2pm to assist with financial counseling, account access, and online services. Building a healthier life goes beyond what is in your grocery cart!

A grocery store, a career center, a financial wellness hub, and a community gathering space all under one roof. This place covers a lot of ground!

Learn more

Everything you need to know before you go

Your quick guide to shopping, saving, and making the most out of The Corner at Debs Store.

1

Hit it on a weekday morning.

Fresh produce and popular items move fast. Weekday mornings are the sweet spot for the best selection!

2

Bring your EBT card.

SNAP and Fresh Access Bucks are accepted, so no worries there!

3

Actually go upstairs.

The Goodwill GoodCareers Center and VyStar Financial Fitness Center are free resources that a lot of visitors don't realize are there. It's worth checking out even if the trip is just for groceries!

4

Hunt for local products.

Keep an eye out for items from local Jacksonville vendors. It's one of the easiest ways to discover makers and producers you probably haven't come across yet!

5

Book the community space.

If you are part of a neighborhood group, local organization, or just need a free event space, the upstairs room is available at no cost. A hidden gem within a hidden gem.

6

Tell your people about it.

Word of mouth is everything for a store like this. If the visit lands well, post about it, tag it, pass it along. The best thing anyone can do for The Corner is put it on more people's radar.

image

Why Jacksonville needs to know

Access to healthy food isn't a luxury; it's something every community deserves. For more than a decade, much of Jacksonville's Historic Eastside lacked easy access to fresh, nutritious food, making everyday tasks a little harder than they should be. After all, it's tough to focus at work, succeed in school, or simply get through the day when you're running on an empty stomach. That's what makes The Corner at Debs Store so much more than a neighborhood market. It's helping provide the resources people need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Beyond its mission, this is the kind of Jacksonville spot that reminds people what community is all about. It may not be flashy, but that's exactly the point. With a story rooted in family, neighborhood pride, and a community that refused to let it be forgotten, The Corner at Debs Store has become a true local treasure. Every visit helps keep that story going—and that's something worth celebrating.

Learn more
image

Go check it out

The Corner at Debs Store is sitting right at Florida Avenue and 5th Street in Jacksonville's Historic Eastside, waiting to be discovered! Pop in for fresh groceries, grab a coffee, find a local product you have never tried before, and peek upstairs while you are at it. Then tell someone about it. Some places just deserve more people knowing they exist, and The Corner at Debs Store is absolutely one of them! A hundred years of history, a community that never stopped caring, and a corner that came all the way back. The Corner at Debs Store is not just a grocery store story; it's proof that Jacksonville's Historic Eastside has a pulse, a past, and a future worth investing in. That's the kind of Jacksonville hidden gem worth going out of your way for!

Learn more
image

Fresh from the heart

They are just getting started, and they need the community behind them to make it last. Thanks to generous supporters, they're building a self-sustaining nonprofit that keeps Eastside and urban core families stocked with fresh groceries for the long haul. From funding fresh food and equipment to covering transportation costs, every investment helps keep the shelves full and the mission moving forward!

Learn more

Stay in the know

Have the best things to do in Jacksonville sent straight to your inbox

By submitting this form, you consent to receive informational (e.g., order updates) and/or marketing texts (e.g., cart reminders) from UNATION, including texts sent by autodialer. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Unsubscribe at any time by replying STOP or clicking the unsubscribe link (where available). Privacy Policy & Terms.

Follow us

Follow us on our social accounts to find the best events.

Curated by

Rebecca McCandless's profile pictureRebecca McCandless

Duval Native | Sunshine State ☀️ | Aspiring Plant Mom 🌱