Duc Loi grocery store sprouts in Bayview

Bayview District residents who have lived without a nearby supermarket in recent years have a new option with the opening Wednesday of Duc Loi’s Pantry on Third Street, according to city officials.

The new 14,000 square foot market at 5900 Third St. will be operated by local business owners Howard and Amanda Ngo, who also operate Duc Loi Supermarket in the Mission District.

The store will create 16 jobs, including seven employees who were hired from the Bayview area, according to city officials.

The city stepped in to secure a grocer for the Third Street site and improve the limited options for fresh food in the area following the closure two years ago of Fresh and Easy, with the Office Economic and Workforce Development partnering with the former property owner to reach out to more than 120 grocers.

The city paired a business consultant with Duc Loi to help the store get a $4.1 million Small Business Administration loan that made it possible to buy the site and work through the planning and development process. In addition, the city provided a $250,000 grant to help pay for interior and exterior improvements, as well as assistance in hiring local employees.

Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement:

“The family owned and operated Duc Loi’s Pantry is a wonderful addition to our Bayview neighborhood. … As the only grocery store in the neighborhood it not only provides our Bayview families with healthy food options, but it’s hiring local residents and is a community serving business.”

Supervisor Malia Cohen said the neighborhood had waited too long for access to healthy food:

“The city has invested over $250,000 to deliver this grocery store because it was the right thing to do. … Now it is up to the community to sustain this investment by taking advantage of the healthy food options that will be offered at Duc Loi.”