A high-concept grocery with take-out breakfast, lunch and dinner service promising freshly prepared healthful food got a $150,000 financial boost this morning from the Allen County Fort Wayne Capital Improvement Board.

The grocery, as-yet unnamed, would take up just under 3,000 square feet in the newly remodeled former Metro Building at Harrison and West Berry streets in downtown Fort Wayne.

The concept was presented by Tony Brita, an executive with an umbrella group for businesses of Tim Ash, whose Ash Brokerage building is nearby.

Brita said the grocery would offer memberships to individuals and downtown companies that would provide discounts and other perks.

There would be collaboration with insurance companies and buy-ins by health-care providers, as well as community events – all with the aim of having residents develop healthy habits and lifestyles, according to Brita and others making presentations.

One presenter called the idea "reverse-engineering the health insurance industry" because so many diseases can be traced to poor eating habits.

The grocery would be just above the size of an average gas station convenience store, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores website.

No opening date was mentioned for the store, but presenters said it would require $1 million in investment. Most of that money would be private capital, they said.

rsalter@jg.net