New Grocery Store to Launch in Historic Downtown Carrollton

A new grocery store brand, Street Corner Urban Market, is set to open in downtown Carrollton, Texas, marking its first location in the state. Scheduled for a spring 2026 opening, the store will occupy a former vintage shop at 1105 South Broadway St., located directly across from the historic downtown square.

Headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, the Street Corner brand operates several concepts, including express kiosks and gas station companions. As of early 2025, the urban market concept boasts 47 locations across the United States, including cities such as Fresno, California and Rochester, New York. The Carrollton store will span approximately 2,500 square feet, larger than a typical convenience store but smaller than a full-scale grocery store.

Franchisee Leon Smith, a long-time resident of downtown Carrollton, is spearheading the venture. He aims to address a noticeable gap in the local retail landscape. “I’ve lived in the downtown Carrollton area probably for about seven or eight years,” Smith stated. “I’ve always noticed the need for some type of grocery chain down here. There’s just nothing down here for the residents—nowhere for them to go grab something quick.”

The historic downtown area already includes family housing, four luxury apartment complexes, a townhome development underway, a DART station, dining options, parks, and various entertainment venues. The addition of a grocery store is seen as a vital step to enhance the community’s offerings, providing easy access to groceries, beer and wine, flowers, produce, and ready-to-eat meals without requiring residents to travel far.

Smith, who currently works in human resources at Baylor Scott & White, is excited about venturing into franchising. He describes the shopping experience at Street Corner Market as reminiscent of Trader Joe’s, featuring many of the same vendors, albeit on a smaller scale. “It’s not cookie cutter ‘this is the only way that it’s going to go,’” Smith explained. “I’m here to try to make it welcoming for everybody that’s around here. I’m a part of this community, so this is important to me, because I know the need for it.”

Community engagement is a central priority for Smith. He encourages local residents to share their product preferences, ensuring that the store’s offerings align with the needs and desires of the community. As the new grocery store prepares to make its mark in Carrollton, many residents are looking forward to the convenience and variety it promises to bring to the neighborhood.