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September 20, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

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Buzz Poll: Who Should Replace Superfresh?

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With the Superfresh up for sale, Chestertown might have a new food store chain coming to town. The Local Buzz wants to know who you would prefer?

 

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The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Letters to Editor

  2. Think I’d prefer a good locally owned independent that has an interest in understanding our local market.

    Whole Foods is way overpriced. Trader Joe’s has great prices but a limited selection and locates only in areas with extremely high traffic. Wegmans are beautiful but they are also pricey. They and Giant only build huge stores – I doubt if they’d consider the small building in Chestertown and we don’t need another empty store. Haven’t been impressed by Food Lions but haven’t been in one lately. Safeway is just another chain. Best grocery store I ever shopped regularly was a large independently owned IGA-affiliated market in Ft. Washington, PA

  3. Trader Joe’s! I love that store. It would mean I would not have to travel to Annapolis every other week. They already use paper bags, so they would fit right in.

  6. I go out of my way to visit a Wegman’s or a Harris Teeter when I am near one. Either would be an outstanding addition to Chestertown.

  7. Graul’s Market comes to mind for me- Chestertown would respond well to a family-run grocery store, and they are already located in St. Michaels. Visit the store off of Rt. 50 in the St.Margaret’s/Broadneck area. Great store- prepared foods, some gourmet, great customer service, and I bet they hire locally.

    The Town’s representatives should be in contact with the Graul family (Fred Graul, President) immediately!

  8. As a former resident of Pomona, who now lives in Rochester, NY. My first thought is also Wegmans. Never had I been to a grocery store quite like it. Some say that is it pricey, as I used to. We used to shop for specific items at Wegmans, Tops, and Super Walmart, because they were on sale. We found though that the normal cost, being only slightly more than sale cost at other places, averaged out to the same or less over time, making all of the extra driving and time to decide as costly as the savings.

    We have found the quality of the food to be better than the competition as well. The variety and freshness of produce alone, was impressive. Much of the normal produce is also locally sourced. I can also not say to much about the way the company treats the employees, and it show in the way the employees interact with their customers. I would wish Chestertown and all of Kent County lucky, if they could court Wegmans. The building might be large to some, but half of the plaza is empty anyways. If Wegmans were to redo the plaza, leaving room for the current surviving stores alongside, it would definitely become a destination, not just a store. If I still lived there, I would not hesitate to go to Wegmans over any grocery store that is in Dover, which is honestly where I would go otherwise.

  9. I heard that Redners Markets was going to build a store at 544 and 213. If so no need for filing Super Fresh store. If it is bigger then the Acme store maybe Acme will mive in there. Either way we end up with an empty store unles Redners could be convinced to move in there. We have a Food Lion in Millington so some other store should go in there. I don’t care for any of the selections on the voting list.
    Len H

  10. WALMART!!! Somewhere the people that can’t afford to shop downtown can shop and still save money!!!!!!!!

  12. Dont hold your breath thinking that any of these mentioned will buy the Superfresh store…the plastic bag ban makes it even less desirable. Someone might have bought it without the ban,we shall see if anyone will buy a store that is a small volume store, in a relatively rural area, with a bag ban. Be realistic. Say goodbye.

  13. i am suggesting Graul’s Market (Ruxton, Cape St. CLAire, Annapoii, Padonia) which is a small family owned market with an excellent bakery, procuce and meat selection….and a fine supply of items not found in larger chains. Harris Teeter is also another thought.

  14. did a price test with Whole Foods, Safeway, Giant and Trader Joe’s on identical products. Whole Foods won in EVERY category. Also every store OWNED by the local employees.

  15. another thought…besides Whole foods allowing local employees to own shares of the store, they actively hire disabled employees, and are selling many KENT COUNTY agricultural products. Trader Joe’s none…get a lot from China. Need a store that values local emphasis.

  16. If picking from a larger chain found locally, I really love the Safeway on Kent Island, so it would be one of the top picks. Have never seen a Wegner’s around here, but agree that it would be a great addition. But whoever comes, I hope they keep the great long time employees of Super Fresh employed!

  17. Would I like a Wegman’s? Sure! But even if Kent County were large enough to support one, it would be too upscale to meet the needs of many of the people who now use Superfresh or Acme. It’s been a long time since we could regularly shop at a Giant, and it’s long since passed from its family ownership. Still, I think Giant would be a better fit for Chestertown than the others.

  18. 1) Aldi
    2) Ask Jim at Bayside Foods in Rock Hall if he is ready to open a second store.
    3) Redner’s

  19. Redners. It sells normal food and they say they’re owned by the employees. I didn’t check to see how true that is though. What is Whole Foods selling that’s from Kent County? Last time I was in there they didn’t have any produce from Maryland. I think it’s pretty sad that I can find more local food in Walmart than in Whole Foods.

  20. Let’s be realistic. Wegmans only goes to very high income, large population areas. Whole Foods is pretty much the same locatation strategy. I would LOVE a Trader Joe’s, which builds smaller stores, but again prefers to locate in lower-cost real estate on the edge of high income, large population areas. Harris Teeter, which I love, pretty much follows the same strategy, too.

    I’d say Redners is the best shot. They are a family business from southern PA that has been moving south into Maryland. Most of their stores are in not so large towns. The store in Elkton (Cecil County) is clean, features local produce, and has excellent prices and even better sale prices. They also carry some “gourmet” items I haven’t found in more upscale stores. Redners would be a happy medium of good prices and quality for everyone and some unexpected “finds” for the gourmets.

  21. No matter who comes, AP and the town better be forward about the Baily bag law so they don’t walk into a financial bomb shell.

  22. I shop at Wegman’s when on vacation in summer. I love it! I have compared prices there with the other store in the area, Tops, and Wegman’s always compares favorably. Of course, if the pockets have extra jingle in them, you can break the bank with Wegman’s gourmet selections–and that is occasionally a lot of fun also!

  24. Grauls or Redmens both sound realistic for our area. I also love the idea of co-operatives! Please, no
    Food Lion or Wal Mart.

  25. Whole Foods is whole paycheck as one friend of mine says. We don’t have a lg enuff population to support a niche mkt such as Trader Joes. Harris Teeter has been inching into MD and it is a great store; don’t know if we are big enuff for them tho. My vote would be Grauls’ , Harris Teeter or Redners’ as per Laura D.

  26. Wrong Question. It’s not who you might like but who might you get. If the major retailers saw a market opportunity they would have been making inquiries already. Demographics and location do not favor Chestertown — and that’s not a bad thing. Graul’s could find a niche where SuperFresh could not. A franchise operation that operates natural food stores could also adapt the space will. Bringing the farmer’s market indoors and to 4 seasons as a vendor’s market would be the biggest boost to the local economy.

  27. To add to adaptor’s comments…it’s much better to focus on what you’re likely to get rather than what you’d want (and the mayor and council should welcome the new business with open arms.) And who says that the location would automatically need be a supermarket. An out of the box option would be something like the Amish Farmer’s Market in Middletown which opened in one of the abandoned supermarkets several years ago. It would provide some lower rent options to folks wanting to start new businesses. That’s not to say that an Amish Farmer’s market is the right fit, but the town shouldn’t limit themselves to thinking only supermarkets.

  28. Gotta go with those who suggest a Graul’s or a Redner’s or another locally owned niche operation.

    Others have pointed out that we don’t have anywhere near the demogs to attract a Harris Teeter/Trader Joe’s/Wegman’s.

    The last thing we need is an expensive yuppie grocery store — go with the locals!

  29. Ctown is just not a big enough market to attract any of the larger national chain stores, and i don’t think we would want one of them anyway. Just another Super Fresh with a different name.. A smaller, family or employee owned store would fit Ctown’s personality and demographics much better. I would vote for Grauls.

  30. I agree with Ted and the others who voted for Graul’s or Redner’s . I still believe a Food Lion is most likely. I’d love to see someone put our Farmers Market people into a deal someway.

  31. I will miss Super Fresh – by far the best grocery store in town. The staff have always been exceptional. Please NO Food Lion. Not impressed with Millington or Centreville store. The thought of having only one grocery store in town is sad and Acme does not offer many options. I know many people who drive to Middeltown and shop at WalMart where they make an evening out of it. A place to eat where families can afford it and several stores to shop where people can afford it. We not only need a grocery store but we also need places to eat and shop that the average person can afford so that we all don’t decide to drive to Middletown.

  33. I hear a lot about Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods being too expensive – then why do folks cross the bridge every week or every other week Just to go there?
    Graul’s was a huge improvement in St Mike’s – They seem to have enthusiasm and a real desire to please the residents AND the tourists/weekenders.

  34. Redners…They are Employee Owned…But I don’t think they will lease out the space in the Old Super Fresh spot… They will build their own place, instead of incurring the costs of monthly leasing/renting…I heard they were going to build at Rt#544 and Rt#213 also…Thats their best bet, cause they’d also bet on conforming to the Bailey Bag Law…

  35. Redner’s is a great store. I have shopped their Elkton store and they have an incredible selection of produce. Also a very wide variety of meats and specialty items.

  38. Wegman’s, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s?? What’s being smoked in Ctown? I suspect that the question might not be who will replace Super Fresh but for how many years will the building be empty.

  39. It’s already been replaced by the Super-Walmart in Middietown. The town’s past dealings with big businesses will hamper any effort to land a national chain. Enjoy Acme or put some miles on your car.

  41. Hi, YOu realy do not have the population to bring in a Wegmans, Kroger dosen!t own a store any were near this area unless you are considering Turkey Hill stores in Pa that they own. Rumors have had Krogers buying Acme from Super Valu for several years. Perhaps and independent would be the towns best bet or the town could contact Acme!s Hq and get the company to move into the Super Fresh and covert the existing Acme into a Super Valu owned Sav A Lot Market. This would be attractive to Acme!s Parent and since both Chains ( owned by Super Valu operate independently of each other with different management and compete in many places already. It should be a win /win for all sides.

  42. I’d personally love a wegmans. I grew up south of Buffalo NY, in an area very similar to Chestertown. I would say the only difference was that it was worse off economically. Wegmans thrived there, the prices were competitive and the selection was unmatched. The myth perpetuated by people like “Laura D,” that wegmans only caters to high population/ wealthy areas is ridiculous. Allegany and Steuben counties in NY were some of the poorest in NY (Allegany being THE poorest), and yet Wegmans did great business there. That being said, it’ll never happen, but we can dream.

  43. Mike, I know the Buffalo area well and lived there myself for a while many years ago. No Wegmans in he city when I was there. Your experience may reflect the Wegman company’s roots a number of years ago, but just look at where they have located in Maryland, which is new territory for the company: Hunt Valley in an upper income area of Baltimore County and a new location is coming to the Bel Air area in Harford County, with a hugely growing population. That just doesn’t match the population/demographics of Kent County.

  44. I don’t understand why everyone is always so concerned about things being local or family run here in town. If you want local, shop downtown, go the farmer’s market. Who cares if there is a Wegman’s or a Whole Foods or even a Wal-Mart? There will still be a large attraction to downtown. The ACME plaza is pathetic right now with all of it’s closed buildings. It would nice to finally have a quality shop with competitive prices. I don’t want to have to drive to Middletown, Annapolis or even the Outlets anytime I want something. College students and their parents shouldn’t have to drive to those places when they want a fridge, flatscreen or sheets that won’t make you itch. The tv’s they sell at Roses are pretend and the ones at Radio Shack are tiny and absurdly expensive. I think Roses is the only place that sells sheets and they are like 2 thread count and give you rug burns if you roll over. Gas prices aren’t going down so why not bring something to town that people will use? Chestertown is already 4 months behind everywhere else when it comes to new products, let’s hop into the 21st century.

  45. But let’s be serious guys…. we all know that it will end up being another Italian restaurant or a bank.

  46. My understanding (from reading the A&P press release about the sale), is that they will be attempting to sell all 25 stores to one buyer. If they can find a buyer, it might be some time before another store opens in that space. A purchaser might well decide to sell off individual properties rather than open stores.

    Meanwhile, I would encourage those who can’t stand Acme to check out Bayside Foods in Rock Hall. It’s small and jam-packed but the meats are good and the variety is amazing in that small space. Produce is more limited but like Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery, “if you can’t find it at Ralph’s, you probably do without it.”

    Never shopped at an Aldi but they are owned by the same company that owns Trader Joe’s. Interesting that they already have a no plastic bag policy. I’ll have to check out Graul’s sometime when I am near one. Meanwhile I’ll keep shopping at Bayside Foods. Kudos to Jeff Carroll for a great little store.

  47. Bruce Murdock writes…”But let’s be serious guys…. we all know that it will end up being another Italian restaurant or a bank.”

    My on-air prediction is that the first thing that opens is a Walgreens…and to answer those who say, “but don’t we already have a brand new one in Chestertown?”; yes we do, but my experience with them (since my wife used to work for them) is that they like to flood a market with their stores. I used to live within walking distance of two of them in Middletown. As an assistant manager, my wife had to deal with gripes from management about losing business to the brand new Walgreen’s/Happy Harry’s they opened a few blocks down the street in the next shopping center.

  48. “The tv’s they sell at Roses are pretend and the ones at Radio Shack are tiny and absurdly expensive. I think Roses is the only place that sells sheets and they are like 2 thread count and give you rug burns if you roll over.”

    @Bruce – TY!

  49. You can purchase great televisions at Sears located next to Super Fresh. They also sell appliances etc and all at great prices, nice variety and helpful service and it is LOCAL. Check it out!

  50. Ms. McGinnes may be right. If only we had the choice…… Oh yeah, that is the premise of this pseudo-survey…. I would pick Trader Joe’s. Whole Foods is way too pretentious in my mind. But, let us be real. We do not have the market size for any of these options above, because we are a small town. What we need is a regular municipal shuttle bus to Annapolis where there are jobs, better schools and better stores……oh, yeah, that’s MY job. Anyone need a lift to Annapolis to shop? Today I am doing “the double”, man… When is June going to arrive?

  51. TRADER JOES would be great. I currently drive to annapolis to go there and I know I am not the only one.

    It would bring out of county commerce to town for sure.

  52. Looks like everyone is happy with the Acme… or driving to Middletown/Dover in the home of tax-free shopping.

  53. Not happy with ACME these days. Hardly restock, especially sale items. A whole foods would be great but just about anything would be an improvement.

  54. I would like to see a super walmart. The Middletown Walmart is taking much of the business away from chestertown anyway

  55. **Trader Joe’s is a good choice. Whole Foods would be great, but they want a huge demographic, so I’ll keep going to Annapolis.
    **The Acme is pathetic, and when the Superfresh (is sold) pick one (closes), the Acme will simply not be able to keep up with the demand for decent fresh food. They can’t now, so consider the future.
    **Traveling to Middletown is an option, and I would prefer to do that than to have a WalMart in Chestertown.
    **Sometimes we go to the Food Lion near Millington. So far it’s a good store with reasonable prices, not too crowded and the people are helpful. Centreville’s Food Lion was like Millington when it opened, but the honeymoon was over quickly. On Kent Island the new Safeway if good too, but not worth a special trip.
    **In the end if these are my choices I’d continue just like now: avoiding Superfresh and Acme except for milk, eggs, toilet paper, etc. and continue shopping at Trader Joe’s and in Middletown.

  56. A Maryland-based chain like Graul’s would be great, more of an older-style supermarket.

    Superfresh and Acme are similar establishments. It would make sense to have a supermarket that was different from Acme, but that would fit into the relatively small footprint of the Superfresh.

  57. Hi Janice, Perhaps I misunderstood you? You travel to Middletown to buy perishables from Walmart. That I just don!t get. They have brown lettuce, rotten greens, and you can smell the rotten citrus and bad potatoes. Perhaps it would be a good idea to adventure up the block two miles to the two year old Giant or the Ten year old Acme that is about five time the size of the o,ld A frame Acme in Chestertown. Oh yes the wondeful lmeat at Walmart cut 3,000 miles way apparently by some one on a lawn tractor..
    In all due seriousness, If every one in Chestertown spent 10.00 more per week at hte Acme perhaps Acme just migth move to the larger SuperFresh building and carry more perishables. But its not going to happen if you guys don!t give them some reason to do so.

  58. Gerry–
    **Yes, you misunderstood. I said I’d “continue shopping at Trader Joe’s and in Middletown.” Obviously produce, meat and fish (none of which is from US waters) are not candidates for purchase at Walmart. Locally Food Lion does fairly well in these domaines. Usually though, it’s a once a month, fill the freezer trip to Trader Joe’s. Spending an extra dollar or two or ten at Acme, in my opinion, won’t do any good. They simply do not respond to the consumer. Many years ago, I objected to the music played at the Acme. Over the weeks, I spoke to the manager several times as did other people. It never did any good; the music continues, then when the Superfresh opened the new store, I went there. It’s always an evolving process since they’ve started playing obnoxious music. But anyway thanks for the laughs. You hit the nail on the head about Walmart.
    **It would be appropriate here to put in a plug for the Farmers Market and for one of the local CSAs–all producing wonderful FRESH vegetables and fruits,

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