36-year old Kia Patterson is the owner of the first ever Black-owned grocery story in Compton, California. She is an independent owner of a Grocery Outlet franchise, and the whole city is celebrating her success. But she didn't do it just for the money; she says wants to provide fresh and better food choices at affordable prices for people who live in predominately Black and low income neighborhoods.

How she got into the business

Kia had already worked for another grocery chain for 17 years when she was recruited by Grocery Outlet to help them with their goal of expanding their chain by adding 100 stores in Southern California.

When the opportunity was presented to her, she started the training process, gathered her investments, and set up a business plan. The next thing she knew, she was the owner of her own grocery store.

Not just any kind of food

Kia's goal is to bring more organic food options to people at more affordable prices. This was important to her because she has seen first-hand the health issues that plague African Americans, and how difficult it is for people who live in low income communities to get access to fresh produce at prices they can afford to pay.

She told the Los Angeles Sentinel, “The prices of our organic groceries are much cheaper than most grocery stores. The major American brands are also 40 to 60 percent cheaper. You can come here and get quality food for great prices.”

Giving back

Kia strongly believes in supporting her community. She gives back through the Magic Johnson Foundation by helping with fundraisers for different schools in the Compton area, and she has also partnered with El Camino Compton Center by helping them launch a low-cost food pantry for college students.

She comments, "I'm definitely involved in the community. That’s important to me because I lived in Lynwood, right next to Compton, so I grew up spending a lot of time in Compton."

Kia's Grocery Outlet store is located at 2175 W Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 and is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

For more details, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/comptongroceryoutlet/