Indian Head, MD — After decades of limited access to fresh and affordable groceries, residents of Indian Head will celebrate the grand opening of Oasis Fresh Foods Market on October 25, 2024. The market, developed by local business owners Marilyn and Mark Steele of Bolans-Darby Partners, signifies more than just a new grocery option—it marks a major turning point for Indian Head, which has been classified as a food desert for over 20 years.
The concept for Oasis Fresh Foods Market took root when the Steeles, already owners of Clarity Coffee House and Pentagon Suites, saw firsthand the need for fresh food access in the area. “The need for a grocery store became unabashedly clear based on what we’d heard and seen from our other businesses,” Marilyn Steele explained. “We thought, ‘If we can help, let’s do our best to contribute.’” Their experience in the community underscored how vital such a market could be for local residents.
Oasis Fresh Foods Market emerged from consultations with an Advisory Council composed of nine local leaders and insights gathered from Indian Head residents. The market spans 6,000 square feet and emphasizes fresh produce, seafood, meats, and locally sourced goods. It also offers staple pantry and freezer items, catering to the community’s most immediate needs while supporting the local economy. Adjacent to the market, the Steeles plan to open a community garden and Papaleo’s Ice Cream shop in spring 2025, creating a family-friendly destination to enrich the shopping experience.
“Marilyn and Mark chose the perfect name for the store, Oasis,” commented Michelle Frye, Deputy Director of Charles County Economic Development (EDD) and a member of the advisory council. “Since the late 90s, residents here have had to leave the community for groceries. From the start, Oasis Fresh Foods Market has created an opportunity to strengthen and transform the local community and tackle food insecurity in the Town of Indian Head by offering local access to fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples.”
Reflecting on the scope of the market, Marilyn Steele noted that while they may not offer the extensive variety of large chains, Oasis serves as a vital alternative for residents with fresh, accessible options for healthy meals. “Oasis Fresh Foods Market gives people options where they had very few before,” she said. “At our size, we can’t be the end-all-be-all for everyone when it comes to product options, but our offerings are fresh, local, and accessible—giving people at least a fighting chance to feed their families well.”
More than a place to shop, Oasis Fresh Foods Market prioritizes partnerships with over a dozen local vendors, including Charles County’s Next Step Produce, Rootbound Farms, and Chesapeake Bay Coffee Roasters, fostering a self-sustaining local economy. “The difference between Oasis Fresh Foods Market, an independent grocer, and chain grocers is that every dollar spent here stays in Charles County and helps our community become more sustainable and resilient,” said Steele.
With significant support from the Charles County Economic Development Department, the Steeles were able to navigate state and federal funding options, securing $2.1 million in low-cost loans from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and $1 million through various state grants. These funds, along with substantial contributions from the Steeles, brought the project’s total cost to approximately $5 million. Construction, which began in September 2023, was completed a year later, paving the way for Oasis to become a reality.
“Charles County Economic Development Department has been an amazingly strong partner for us,” Steele remarked, crediting EDD’s guidance in identifying grant and loan opportunities and even providing assistance with tax relief options for businesses revitalizing existing structures. “When you renovate a building, its tax base will go up substantially, and if you’re not prepared for that, it can jeopardize your business,” she added, emphasizing the importance of local government support.
Before the store’s public opening, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, along with the Charles County Commissioners, EDD team, and other local leaders, toured the newly completed market. The Governor’s visit highlighted the ongoing issue of food deserts and the need for initiatives like Oasis Fresh Foods Market to combat food insecurity in Maryland communities. “The Governor’s visit was important in spotlighting food scarcity,” said Steele. “The issue needs to gain more attention so we can keep focus on creating the right combination of solutions that ensure Charles County never has a food desert designation again.”
The grand opening celebration on October 25 will feature community-centric activities, including vendor samples from local businesses like Cottage Sweets by Sue and Mediterranean Basil Salts, giveaways, contests, and live music. The Steeles and their team hope the event will not only introduce residents to the store’s offerings but also reinforce a sense of community empowerment.
As the doors to Oasis Fresh Foods Market open, residents of Indian Head gain access to fresh, healthy food options without leaving town—a long-awaited advancement with potential to inspire future developments across Charles County.
For more on Indian Head’s modernization efforts, click here.
