Residents of the Telegraph District, an expanding mixed-used neighborhood east of downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, will soon have a new option when it comes to food shopping.
Open Harvest, a co-op grocery store founded in the 1970s, plans to relocate in the fall to a redevelopment of the former Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph Co. industrial campus at 330 S. 21st St. Food co-ops are owned by members of the local community and typically work with farmers in the area to provide fresh produce and other items.
The store’s 2022 lease deal, which overcame challenges including co-op board approval and raising capital for improvements, was awarded a 2023 CoStar Impact Award as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
About the project: The Telegraph District is being developed by a partnership between Nelnet, a student loan servicing company based in Lincoln, and Speedway Properties. The work-live project includes 200,000 square feet of office space, more than 275 apartment units and 100,000 square feet of retail space, according to its website. Tenants include Allo Communications and Naughty Buddha Burger Bar.
What the judges said: “Open Harvest will be a great addition to our grocery market. There are not many grocery options near downtown ... I think they have a unique structure being a co-op, which will serve as an innovative option for Lincoln shoppers. I know they searched for a while for the right space, but I think this location will serve them well,” said Marisa Marsh, vice president, Realty Trust Group.
They made it happen: Thomas Gifford, a leasing agent with Speedway, was involved in the transaction.