Fresh & Greens is permanently closing it doors after a little over two years of operations.
Employees learned around 1 p.m. on Monday that the store would close on Dec. 29. The news came as a bit of a shock to Wendell Lee Johnson. His two years with Fresh & Greens followed 12 years with the former Super Fresh.
“We had a big meeting at 1 p.m,” Mr. Johnson said. “They called everybody upstairs. I didn’t get a chance to go to the meeting but they told me the store was about to close down.”
Mr. Johnson said he felt insecure about where he would find work after the store closed.
The news also came as a shock to shoppers. James Hendry of Chestertown said he has shopped at the location for 22 years and enjoyed the unique products Fresh & Greens offered.
“It’s a nice store, I’m sorry to see it go,” Mr. Hendry said.
Fresh & Greens launched into Chestertown in July of 2011 with high expectations. The Canadian based Natural Market Restaurant Corporation of Ontario took over the location from the bankrupt Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company — promising a wider selection of organic foods that included prepared meals that could be eaten on the premises in a newly renovated dining area.
Gerald Maynes says
editor,
Its a shame for the people who have spent their adult lives working at that store. But it was predictable from the start. This is a rough business and the under-financed should think twice before venturing into it. Maybe Redner’s would be interested. They wanted to build over the county line on 213 but ran into problems.
Holly Geddes says
Editor,
As part of research for my mayoral campaign, I talked to executives at Redner’s. They said that they would love to come to Chestertown. They had hoped to come a few years ago. They ran into some difficulties that this location will not have. I hope our town government can work with them to encourage that move.
Melinda Bookwalter says
Editor,
Excellent suggestion and info! Next step? Mayor/economic development committee?
Holly Geddes says
Editor,
I sent the link to this site to the executive at Redner’s. I sent the specific contact information to the town manager and Chris Cerino. Fingers crossed that it will all come together. I think this is a high quality outfit. They seem to be interested in coming to Chestertown and they have savvy corporate backing. Again, fingers crossed.
Kevin Shertz says
Editor,
It would probably help to give them Silicato Development’s contact information too, seeing how they own the shopping center, and should be consulted first as to what their plans are regarding their private property.
The Town can provide incentives, but cannot negotiate a lease.
Phil Ticknor says
Editor,
Yes, please let Redner’s in. Please, please, please. Affordable and fair pricing, good baked goods, solid deli. Chestertown Acme is already overcrowded and cramped (when is the expansion finally going to happen) and F&G was doomed from the beginning.
John Mann says
Editor,
It should also be noted that Fresh & Green’s is closing all of their DC and MD stores, so this decision was not made with Chestertown specifically in mind.
https://bit.ly/19f8ZQ1
mike standridge says
Editor,
Do you know yet if another store is comming and what it might be?
Eliott Fuhrman says
Editor,
The owner of center would be key to work with. One of biggest loser is electric company; no tenant no money for electric. What many are doing is offering 20 percent discount for 3 Years then 10% for 2 years. Also work with the state that fit out will not cause taxes go up. Food Lion with stores in Centerville and here would make their advertising spread. Over 3 stores.
Gerald Maynes says
Editor,
Why would Food Lion with a store just hanging by a thread in Millington want to open another so close in Chestertown. The result would be a large investment in Millington down the drain. If not Redners, Sav A Lot has a recent history of taking failed stores and renting half the space. They are owned by Acmes former parent Super Valu. They are Box stores that now have full service Meat Departments and limited produce. Chestertown would be a good fit.
The truth is that the business is so tough on entry level indsependents. You almost have to buy into a franchise like Sav A Lot or be in a situation that your next competitor is 50 miles away.
Janice Dickson says
Editor,
Closing all Maryland and DC Fresh n’ Greens is a sad situation. It seems they bought former Superfresh sites “on spec” and the speculation didn’t work. Lots was promised by the company, and not much was delivered. So the big question for Chestertown is where do we go now? There’s the Food Lion, Ratners and others in Dover, and of course, many stores in Annapolis. But all this assumes that the customer has a car, or can get a ride to a supermarket. Chestertown really does need some transportation options. Perhaps some agency could serve as a clearing house for people who wish to shop out of town matching them with people who are driving to the Food Lion or the Acme or to Annapolis could offer rides to those looking for transportation. Homeports offers drivers for shopping among other things, but Chestertown needs a similar service that doesn’t have a membership cost. And what’s to be done for Donald Greene who is recovering from a stroke? The cost of his rehab is presumably covered, at least in part, by insurance from his employer who is pulling out of this state. Pox on corporations who say they aren’t making “enough money,”
Gerald Maynes says
Editor,
You can fault Fresh @ Greens for a lot of things. But , they did not make any m oney on this venture at all. Why Walmart and competitors such as Acme, got aggressive, with great ads, lowered prices, and better store conditions. They simply did not have the money to match them, or to refresh their stores
Ted O'brian says
EDitor,
Even though the store is closing down and many will lose jobs, the Millington Food Lion is hiring and I am sure a lot of the good workers can find a home there as I always hear they are looking for better workers. Also, the Food Lion in Millington now has a Deli and looks to be pretty competitive since Super Fresh closed down two years ago.
Gerry Levin says
Editor,
I am so sorry for the employees, but it was obvious when the store opened that it would not last. Chestertown definitely needs another established food market. Hope they come up with something! And soon!
Jane E. Hukill says
Editor,
I have shopped at A&P – SuperFresh – Fresh&Green for 25 years. It was the lovely people who work there that kept me coming back. When I stopped in today to pick up a few things, I was stunned. It was like losing great and good friends from all the years. If anyone comes in to set up a new grocery – I do hope they will bring that great staff back – they are so kind, helpful, friendly and funny. Let us hope that our community can work hard to encourage a solid enterprise to move in and also use our local and long loved grocery employees.