The imminent closures and sale of two western shore Fresh and Green’s locations, one in Parkville, the other in the Baltimore neighborhood of Hampden, has led to speculation about the overall viability of the Fresh and Green’s chain in Maryland, which has five other locations across the state, one in D.C., and one in Chestertown’s Kent Plaza.
According to PerishableNews.com, a site devoted to reportage of quality control issues of perishable foodstuffs in retail outlets, the two western shore locations are in the process of being acquired by Giant Foods of Landover, which will require them to close during the renovation and conversion period.
When asked whether these acquisitions would have any impact on other Fresh and Green locations across the state, the manager of the Chestertown location replied,
“No, I know for a fact that they will not. As far as we were told that was a business decision that was based on a couple different things, it will not affect this location.”
The manager of the Chestertown store’s response was consistent with what Matt Williams, CEO of Fresh and Green’s in Maryland told to PerishableNews.com, namely that, “[a]ll of our remaining stores in Maryland have –and will continue to operate – with a renewed emphasis on improving the overall shopping experience.”
Still, this is a far cry from illuminating why not one, but two locations have gone under. An article in the Baltimore Sun late last month reports that the then failing Hampden store had neglected its produce department for over a week, falling behind in other stock as well.
When asked by the Spy about how store personnel would be affected by Giant’s acquisition and pending renovation, the manager of the Hampden location flatly denied that any renovations were to take place at all.
“Renovation?” said the anonymous male voice, “Not this store.”
Efforts to contact the Parkville Fresh and Green were thwarted by an opaque answering service generated by the now bankrupt Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., the owners of the Superfresh that preceded the now doomed store.
Thus, at this juncture, it is hard to determine whether the underlying cause of these closures is due to some greater corporate financial calamity, or simply mismanagement within the Parkville and Hampden locations themselves.
Either way, shoppers at Chestertown’s Fresh and Green can rest assured that while the fate of the chain itself may be uncertain, the produce section in this particular location is as fresh and fully stocked as its namesake suggests.
Joe Diamond says
I think there is still a chance this one will disappear. Fresh & Green is a Canadian company. This is a long truck ride.
Aside from the five stores they bought down here they have no operations near here. They are selling two Baltimore locations. I think they still have a future decision to make about hanging around Chestertown.
I am a little familiar with the two Baltimore stores. The Hampden location is near an old & busy Giant store. The existing Giant at The Rotunda screams for more space…they are busy. Relocating to new and bigger digs makes sense so Giant buys one store they unsuccessfully attempted to acquire at auction. The Parkville location is just a good spot. Parkville is just outside the Baltimore Beltway with good access except twice a day when everything grinds along.
So far this could be a win / win. Fresh & Green get some of their bid money back by unloading two stores they may or may not have really wanted. If the three stores they kept start pumping money they can operate them or sell them off as profitable operations. If they turn out to be money pits the departure to Canada can be expected.
The sad possibility is that the Chestertown staff will do their usual superior job but if the other operations fail the whole group may be up for sale (again).
It is only business,
Joe