Project 502 is composed of three entities: Project 502 Holdings, LLC, Louisville West Market, and Project 502 Learning Center. Louisville West Market is a for-profit organization, grounded in the belief that for-profit businesses can benefit the communities they serve. The market addresses the food desert issue in West Louisville, Kentucky–specifically, the lack of easy access to affordable, healthy food. The market will be a small-format store (5,000-10,000 square feet) focusing on simplicity and efficiency while still offering all of the necessary items a customer needs. Cost-cutting measures will be in place; however, these will not compromise the store's quality. We aim to work directly with manufacturers (when possible), stock products in the boxes they are delivered in (to save on labor costs), and refrain from operating extra services (such as a bakery & butcher). Louisville West Market also aims to source produce locally and work with minority-owned farms when possible. The market’s goal is not to simply be another business but to serve as a community space where people can gather, offering an outdoor area and garden where constructive community events can be held. The market has the potential to expand throughout the various neighborhoods of West Louisville and even to other cities and communities across the United States that struggle with food deserts and lack access to affordable, healthy food. Louisville West Market is the first phase of Project 502.
Phase two of Project 502 is the Project 502 Learning Center, a non-profit organization offering advanced facilities and tutoring resources for children from underrepresented communities (at no cost to them). The Learning Center will be located near or on the same property as Louisville West Market, and the market will partially help fund this initiative. Upon arrival at the center after school, students will be required to complete their assigned schoolwork. Afterward, students have the opportunity to utilize the advanced facilities (ranging from a Maker-Design space to a Black Box theater) to explore their interests. The Learning Center will aim to partner with various local schools in the community (potentially top-tier schools like Louisville Collegiate School) to consult and enhance the programming and resources available to students. Due to the proximity to the market, students will also have access to food resources, and transportation to and from the center (if needed).
Overall, Project 502 aims to tackle two significant issues in Louisville and the United States: food insecurity and educational inequality. We hope that by building these resources, there will be exponential effects on the community by improving health, education, and outcomes across the board.
Email: maximillian.ledoux@uky.edu
Project Owner
Maximillian LeDoux