DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH | PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

The wishes of many city residents are about to come true; after a year in the making, a real grocery store is finally set to open Downtown.

According to the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, the new Well Well Market will be located along Liberty Avenue in a space currently occupied by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

Focused on organic produce, dairy and prepared foods, the Well Well Market was founded by Eric Iacone — a Carnegie Mellon University graduate affiliated with Riverwards Grocery store in Philadelphia — and fellow CMU grad Ivy Hu, who previously worked for her family’s grocery store in China.

The Well Well Market will be part of the Independent Natural Food Retailers Association; more than 40% of products in the store will have organic certification and will have affordable prices, according to the Downtown Neighbors Alliance.

The full-service grocery store will also carry hygienic products and have a bulk foods section. In addition, there will be a floral department, a cafe and a juice bar.

While the store is in the early stages of being set up, an opening date has yet to be announced.

“There were times we didn’t think it would happen, but I knew the persistence and hard work of the stakeholders would make it happen,” adds Downtown Neighbors Alliance president John Valentine in a statement. “A special thank you to Rugby Realty and its leaders, Aaron Stauber and Larry Walsh. Without their commitment to Downtown this project wouldn’t happen. We are now sending Eric to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for their assistance with their Rent Abatement Program.”