Lee’s Deli Announces Expansion at Belle City Square: “Lee’s Market”

Belle City Square and J. Jeffers & Co. are proud to announce a major new addition to the historic Horlick Malted Milk Company Industrial Complex: Lee’s Market, an expanded grocery and deli concept created by the locally loved Lee’s Deli. Set to open in May 2026, Lee’s Market will occupy the first floor of the Machine Shop and bring an essential food-access resource, daily foot traffic, and a proven community mission to Racine’s rapidly growing mixed-use neighborhood.

For decades, Lee’s Deli has been more than just a business. It has served as a community engine, workforce builder, and trusted neighborhood resource, supporting youth programs, stable employment pathways, local events, and families throughout Racine. In 2025 alone, Lee’s Deli provided consistent meals and mentorship to hundreds of community members while serving as a gathering point for organizations across the city. The expansion to Belle City Square reflects the company’s next major step: transforming from a beloved deli into a full-scale community grocery and deli designed to meet the needs of residents in an area long identified as a food desert.

“Lee’s Market will be a community anchor.” — Josh Jeffers

“We are thrilled to welcome Lee’s Market to the Machine Shop,” said Josh Jeffers, President & CEO of J. Jeffers & Co. “Their community-first mission perfectly aligns with the values driving the redevelopment of Belle City Square. Lee’s Market is more than a market, it will be a community anchor. It brings daily activity, essential food access, and a long-standing commitment to the people of Racine. This is exactly the type of partner that transforms a historic campus into a thriving neighborhood.” 

Lee’s Market will bring meaningful benefits to residents of Belle City Square and the surrounding neighborhoods. The new grocery and deli will provide a safe, clean, and reliable source for fresh, affordable food in an area long identified as a food desert. It will generate daily foot traffic that strengthens all businesses on campus while offering a trusted employment pathway rooted in workforce development. As a long-standing community partner, Lee’s will continue collaborating with The Inclusive Bean, local nonprofits, and youth programs to create a welcoming, supportive environment where residents can access essentials, enjoy prepared meals, and engage in community-centered programming. The Machine Shop location will feature grocery essentials, grab-and-go meals, deli items, produce, household basics, and community centered programming. 

“We’re not just opening a store, we’re expanding our mission to serve Racine.” — Nate Erhardt
“Over the past year, we’ve proven again and again that Lee’s is more than a deli, we are a community partner,” said Nate Erhardt owner of Lee’s Deli and founder of Lee’s Market. “Belle City Square gives us the chance to expand that mission. We’re not just opening a store, we’re opening a community anchor. A place where residents can access fresh groceries, where families feel welcome, and where we can continue building workforce opportunities. We’re honored to grow within a campus that is deeply committed to inclusion, revitalization, and the future of Racine.”

The addition of Lee’s Market continues the strong trajectory of Belle City Square’s redevelopment. In 2024, the campus created or retained 50 permanent jobs, supported 65 construction jobs, and strengthened pathways for women-led businesses, small entrepreneurs, and inclusive workforce development partners such as The Inclusive Bean. Lee’s Market will join The Inclusive Bean, Maltworks creative studios, Altus Vinyl, and other mission-driven organizations contributing to the campus’s transformation into an 18-hour neighborhood rooted in opportunity, accessibility, and community connection.

Next Steps, Build-out for Lee’s Market will begin in the coming months. A coordinated rollout, including community updates, progress highlights, and collaborative storytelling, will be shared in partnership with J. Jeffers & Co., Belle City Square, The Inclusive Bean, and local organizations. Lee’s Deli will also participate in the Belle City Square Holiday Market on December 20, offering residents a first look at their expanding vision.

About Lee’s Deli / Lee’s Market, Lee’s Deli is a Racine-founded, community-centered business known for its fresh food, workforce development, and deep local partnerships. Lee’s Market expands this mission by bringing a full-service grocery and deli to the Belle City Square campus, focusing on food access, resident support, and neighborhood vitality.

About Belle City Square Located on the historic Horlick Malted Milk campus, Belle City Square is a multi-phase redevelopment project led by J. Jeffers & Co. Designed to create an inclusive, vibrant mixed-use neighborhood, the project integrates residential living, small businesses, public amenities, and artist-driven programming with a strong emphasis on community impact.

About J. Jeffers & Co. J. Jeffers & Co. is a mission-driven real estate development and investment firm specializing in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and neighborhood revitalization. With nearly 15 years of experience transforming underutilized properties into high-impact community assets, the company is known for advancing economic opportunity, equity, and long-term neighborhood health