West Philly Drug Corner Turns To Thriving Business - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

A Philadelphia neighborhood plagued by crime and drugs is working to turn things around thanks to one man's idea to take back his block.

West Phillie Produce may look like any corner grocery store, but here you won't find soda, cigarettes or even lottery tickets.

Instead, it's all healthy.

Arnette Woodall tells FOX 29's Chris O'Connell he opened the market to be a hub for healthy foods.

It turned out to be a whole lot more.

Just a few years ago, the corner of 62nd and Ludlow was an empty lot filled with abandoned cars and drug dealers. That was until Woodall said enough was enough.

Woodall says he used his life savings to transform the corner that doubles as a water ice stand and landscape business.

In another room of his market, he allows the community to use the computer and fax machines. He also employs kids from the neighborhood.

Once a week, the store sponsors a dance fitness class and a healthy cooking class.

As always, it offers low cost fresh foods to customers.

Woodall says the neighborhood needed to "take some lights, camera, action." He feels his market is a prototype of what needs to be done all over the city.