PCC, the fancy hippie grocery store, expanding into Seattle's Central District

PCC Community Markets will open a new location on 23rd Avenue and Union Street in Seattle.

The space was originally set for a New Seasons store, a Portland-based company. But it sat vacant for years due to labor controversy and community push back.

In December, New Seasons was acquired by a South Korean food company, which freed up the space. On its website, PCC CEO Cate Hardy said it understands the Central District’s rich history.

“As we do with any new PCC store, we will work directly with local individuals and organizations to gain a deeper understanding of how we can best support the community.”

The co-op says it will set aside some of its retail space for a yet-to-be-named food and beverage business that has a special connection to the community.

After World War II, the Central Area, also called the Central District, became home to Seattle’s African-American community. But gentrification started to change the area in the 1990s. In the last census, black residents made up just over 21 percent of the population.

PCC's Central District location is expected to open this spring. It will be the co-op's 14th store in the Puget Sound region.