Audrey Ralph was justifiably excited to learn that a new grocery store was going to be moving into the old Be-Lo Food Store on Carolina Road.

For the past two years, residents in the area around the store have had to go far out of their way to get a decent deal on a loaf of bread or jug of milk. This has caused particular hardship for some residents who are without reliable transportation.

The presence of Joe’s Farmer’s Market will alleviate that hardship and that’s a good thing.

It’s also indicative of the trickle down effect that investment in various parts of the city is causing.

Suffolk is on the map, thanks in large part to progressive leadership willing to invest in our neighborhoods, villages and schools. While it may seem to some residents that downtown, or north Suffolk get all of the attention, investments anywhere in our city ultimately benefit us all.

That entrepreneurs like the owners of Joe’s are taking note of Suffolk and are willing to invest is a good sign for other areas that have felt neglected.