Raleigh, N.C. — With more than 7,000 people expected to call the downtown area home by the end of the year, city leaders celebrated on Thursday what they refer to as an integral part of the area’s development – a third grocery shopping option downtown.

Taz’s market, 207 South Wilmington Street, opened its doors. Owner Taz Zarka said opening the store at a time downtown Raleigh is thriving made good business sense.

“After studying the best locations, we found it should be in the heart of downtown,” said Zarka, who also owns the original Taz’s market, 335 South Wilmington, also downtown.

A few blocks north near downtown, Capital City Grocery has been operating for almost a year. Management said they are counting on business from three new condominium developments set to open in this Fall.

“We have so many condos coming and they’re going to need somebody to really service them,” store manager William Spence said.

Mayor Charles Meeker, who attended the ribbon cutting at Taz’s market Thursday, said the store is yet another phase in the city’s downtown development.

“As the condos open, this will be a place people can come for their groceries. Right now, it’s more of a convenience store, but it could grow into a grocery store over time,” Meeker said.

Meeker said downtown development is picking up. Besides condominiums, nightspots and restaurants, Meeker envisions more office buildings and hotels.