Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jess Peacock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jess, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My great-grandparents bought the property to serve as both housing and retail. If you ask my dad, I have always wanted to work in a grocery store. Neighborhood retail is woven into the fabric on communities, especially communities of color. Reopening the grocery store stems from a legacy of being good neighbors.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Jessica Peacock and I am the owner and operator of Peacox Community Market. I am proud to carry on the legacy of my grandparents, Floyd and Annie Mae Peacox, who established Peacox Market in the late 1960s. We anticipate a 2023 grand (re)opening and providing access to fresh and affordable produce. While corner stores exist in many communities of color in east and southeast Raleigh, Peacox Market seeks to support the community beyond retail. Simply put, we want to do more than just sell groceries. We aim to be an anchor within our community, investing in not only the physical health but mental and social well-being of our neighbors.

What makes me the most proud is that I am continuing to serve my community in the same capacity as my great-grandparents. Raleigh’s Black history has many stories that include resiliency and strength; the market is evidence that there was and still is opulence amongst forgotten neighborhoods.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Starting a business that requires a storefront means that I am both business manager and building superintendent. The building has been vacant for over a decade and the upfitting required more than knocking down walls and adding shelves. Our site sits on the bank of a creek and any major construction means bringing the almost 100 year old building up to current building code.

For the past two years, I have researched the rezoning process, the floodway construction limitations, and countless other codes and regulations that were needed to reopen the doors. Being a full time teacher means I had limited resources and could not afford a team of professionals to support the reopening. I started the rezoning process in 2021, yet fell victim to imposter syndrome and put the project off for a year.

With the support of friends and family, I restarted the rezoning process and submitted an application for rezoning in less than 90 days. I celebrate at each step of this process because this has not been an easy journey (nor is it close to being over) but reflecting and acknowledging small wins keeps me motivated.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I have built my reputation in this industry by showing up for others. It sounds simple, but it is easy to get so caught up in our own problems that we forget how walking in our purpose is a blessing to both ourselves and others. While we have not opened our doors to serve as a grocery store, we’ve shown up for our neighbors through advocacy, community programming and other partnerships.

Throughout the year, we support local public school events and partner with other community organizations to collect and distribute clothing and food donations. What has felt the most impactful is advocating to the city for a bus bench to be installed at a bus stop across from the market.

I was raised in a family that emphasized caring for others and it remains a core value in my personal life and for my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.peacoxmarket.com
• Instagram: @peacoxmarket
• Facebook: Peacox Community Market
• Twitter: @peacockmarket