A Chicago entrepreneur is turning a centuries-old broken promise into a thriving community grocery store. Liz Abunaw opened Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood during Black History Month 2026.
The store’s name carries deep historical significance. It references the federal government’s unfulfilled post-Civil War pledge to provide land and opportunity to formerly enslaved people.
Reclaiming the Promise of Forty Acres
The phrase “forty acres and a mule” represents one of America’s most painful broken promises. Abunaw is reimagining what that promise could look like today.
“What would it look like if we actually got our 40 acres?” she asked. Her answer is a thriving, Black woman-owned supermarket serving Chicago neighbors.
For Abunaw, the store represents both economic ownership and community investment. It transforms a historical symbol of betrayal into one of empowerment. The market stands as a powerful statement during Black History Month.
Transforming a Closed-Off Space Into an Open Community Hub
The store sits at Chicago Avenue and Waller Street. It occupies a space that once housed a Salvation Army thrift shop.
The previous building felt unwelcoming and restrictive. “This place used to look like a prison,” Abunaw recalled of its concrete block walls and minimal entryway.
Redesigning the property required a fundamental rethinking of the space. Abunaw focused her renovation vision on light and openness. “You have to open it up,” she explained simply but powerfully.
Designing a 1950s Ice Cream Shop Aesthetic
The interior design blends nostalgia with thoughtful modern touches. Abunaw drew inspiration from mid-century soda fountains and general stores.
“The decor in this place, I wanted it to feel like a 1950’s ice cream shop,” she said. The atmosphere feels warm, familiar, and inviting.
This intentional aesthetic creates an experience beyond ordinary grocery shopping. Customers enter a space that feels like community rather than commerce. The design choices reinforce Abunaw’s broader vision for the market’s role in Austin.
Addressing a Real Gap in Fresh Food Access
Forty Acres Fresh Market opened its doors in September 2025. The launch marked a significant milestone for the Austin community.
Austin residents previously lacked a full-service grocery option nearby. Many had to travel to surrounding neighborhoods or suburbs for basic essentials.
Abunaw highlighted the absurdity of this situation directly. “Look around us. The mayor lives on the next block,” she noted. “The man can afford food, but until we got here, he had to go into Oak Park to get food.”
Rejecting the Food Desert Label While Acknowledging Disparities
Abunaw approaches the conversation about food access carefully and thoughtfully. She resists labeling Austin a “food desert” outright.
Nevertheless, she openly acknowledges the significant disparities in fresh grocery access. These gaps have real consequences for community health and daily life.
Her nuanced position reflects a deeper understanding of the community. She refuses to reduce Austin residents to victims of their circumstances. Instead, she focuses on what she can build and provide.
Drawing on Corporate Experience to Run a Complex Operation
Abunaw brings valuable professional experience to her entrepreneurial venture. Her years working at General Mills prepared her for the grocery industry’s demands.
Running a supermarket requires extraordinary precision and multitasking. “Grocery is not complicated, but it is complex,” she said thoughtfully.
Success depends on managing countless small tasks simultaneously and consistently. Her corporate background gives her tools many community entrepreneurs lack. She applies professional-grade rigor to a deeply personal mission.
Community Members Celebrate the Convenience
Local residents are already feeling the store’s positive impact. Nearby resident Samuel Correa can now make quick trips for basics without a lengthy drive.
Previously, simple grocery runs required significant time and transportation. The convenience factor alone has transformed daily routines for many Austin families.
Community member Haniyyah King praised both the store’s symbolism and quality. The market delivers on two levels simultaneously—cultural significance and practical excellence. Both dimensions matter equally to the community it serves.
Competitive Pricing Ensures Long-Term Sustainability
Abunaw understands that mission alone cannot sustain a business. Pricing strategy is central to Forty Acres Fresh Market’s long-term viability.
“If we’re charging the same prices as other grocery stores, that means we’re doing it right,” she stated. Competitive pricing is non-negotiable.
The goal is making fresh food genuinely accessible, not just physically present. Charging premium prices would undermine the store’s entire purpose and mission. Abunaw’s business model keeps community needs at its core.
Honoring the Legacy of Black-Owned Chicago Grocers
Abunaw is careful not to frame her achievement in isolation. She sees herself as part of a longer tradition of Black entrepreneurship in Chicago.
She emphasizes she is building on a legacy left by Black-owned Chicago grocers before her. Their struggles and successes paved the way for her own.
“Continuing a story that began generations ago” defines her perspective on the work. The market honors those who came before while creating new opportunities ahead. Forty Acres Fresh Market is both a historical tribute and a forward-looking investment.