Watts Mini-Mart Reopens to Bring Fresh Food Back to the Community

Community Mini-Mart Reopens, Offering Fresh Produce

A neighborhood mini-mart located at the corner of 95th Street and Anzac Avenue has reopened, promising to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to local residents.

Owner Keisha Daniels expressed her commitment to creating a reliable source of healthy food options for families in the area. “We wanted to provide a place where families can come, get healthy food, to get the things that they need like a one-stop shop,” she stated.

However, the path to reopening was not without its challenges. Daniels revealed that financial difficulties forced her to close the store multiple times in 2024 and 2025, citing a broken cooler as one of the most significant obstacles. “We had a cooler that broke down and it cost almost $3,000 to get fixed. I didn’t have that money,” she explained.

A pivotal moment arrived when Daniels secured a $50,000 microloan from the Macedonia Community Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to providing technical assistance and promoting job creation in low-income areas. “I feel so famous right now!” Daniels exclaimed during the celebration of the store’s reopening.

Marie O’Kelly Green, chair of the board of directors at Macedonia Community Development Corporation, lauded the impact of the mini-mart on the community. “You may see new faces that wanna sing that old Janet Jackson song ‘What have they done for you lately.’ What have they done for you lately — Watts Up Mini Mart is what they have done for you lately,” Green remarked.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, who serves as the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, was present at the reopening celebration. She emphasized her role in fostering affordable housing and supporting small businesses. “We are gonna make sure that any money that we invest or any money that we support in investing in this community, that you’re not going to fail,” Waters assured attendees.

Waters also praised Daniels, highlighting her determination and entrepreneurial spirit. “I’m so proud of her. Just to think about this young woman who decided that she could own a store. She could be the owner. She could get it started and help make sure there’s fresh food for the community. That’s very important. She’s done that in Watts,” she said.