26-P023R Eastside Corner Store Operator

The City is seeking qualified vendors to contract with as an operating partner that they have the necessary skills, experience, and resources to operate a convenience/grocery store in partnership with the City at this location. The existing market/store building is sustainably up fitted, including major equipment, by the City at no cost to operating partner/operator. Please note: No on-site food preparation will be permitted, per DHEC. Only commercially pre-packaged food should be available for sale.

The City desires to lease space within the ERC (Empresarial Resource Center) at the Mix- Use James Lewis Apartments for the operation of a convenience grocery store that sells food items to include fresh fruits and vegetables, grab and go meals, medical supplies, household items, and other goods of a nature commonly sold at stores located in a residential neighborhood. More than fifty-one percent of the gross floor area should be dedicated to such products and items. Not more than ten percent of its gross floor area shall be devoted to the sale of beer or wine. There will be no sales of lottery or tobacco products allowed per the lease agreement with the Apartments. The Store shall be open to both the Apartments residents and the general public.

The City's goals in this RFP are to:

• Select from the vendors responding to this RFP one or more qualified Respondent that will provide the neighborhood the best possible combination of quality merchandise, customer service, and pricing for convenience grocery store items.
• The income collected/charged to Respondents for will be used by City's to support the programs and goals of the ERC.
• Encourage the use of alternate sales and delivery modes, including e-commerce, particularly to the extent such business models are efficient in the use of on-site space and provide goods at favorable prices.
• Identify qualified partners to enter into an agreement to lease the use of space for the operation of the store for an initial term of five (5) years, with the City having the right to renew the agreement for up to (2) two periods of one (1) year each.

The City is looking for Respondents with demonstrated capacity and 3 – 5 years' experience in the operation of a retail store, ideally a convenience/ grocery or corner store.

**Submission method:** Offeror may mail, or hand-deliver response to the Procurement Division. **Do Not Fax** in the proposal response. Proposals must be submitted by mail or hand delivered to City of Charleston, Procurement Division, 2 George Street, Suite 3600, Charleston, SC 29401, ATTN: 26-P023R.

Each vendor must submit the following:

• One (1) original un-bound, single-sided Proposal labeled as "ORIGINAL"
• Seven (7) bound, double-sided Proposals
• One (1) electronic copy on a flash drive.

The following weighted criteria will be used to evaluate the Proposals:

• Proposed Store Concept
• General Management Philosophy
• Experience / Current and/or Past Performance
• Financial Capacity
• Demonstrated Ability to Work with a Diverse Customer Base

The initial term of the Agreement shall be for five (5) years. The City reserves the right to extend the Agreement if the City determines the extension is in its best interest; said extension will be on an annual basis and shall not exceed two (2) additional one (1) year periods.

There will be a Non-Mandatory Site Visit at 9:00am on November 5, 2026 at 91 Hanover St.