|
|
The buzz was palpable as shoppers wended their way through fresh flowers, produce and coffee barrels to a sparkling fish and seafood section and a long impressive meat market, stopping to sample offerings from the prepared food section, the bakery, the sushi bar, the cheese cases and the candy aisle as they meandered through the 22,600-square-foot store.
According to several employees, the opening was the second most successful in Fresh Market history, impressive given the fact that the 91-store southern chain is just entering the Northeast market, with a new stores planned for Hingham, Massachusetts, Annapolis, Maryland and Latham, New York. The crush of customers made it difficult at times to keep the shelves stocked and organized, but employees at every level, 90 of whom were locally hired, were on hand to meet the demands of the crowds, pleasantly, and in most cases, informatively.
Brian Petronella, the president of Local 371, the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, said that protesters were picketing because the chain does not hire union workers.
"Those who work at non-union markets get paid substandard wages and benefits," he said. "They get lower hourly rates and have to pay more for their health care benefits. If they get sick, they get docked. Good jobs allow people to pay their bills. When they can't pay for health care, they go to emergency rooms and taxpayers foot the bill."
Petronella estimated that the picketers were successful in turning away about 10 to 20 percent of the market's customers while they were lining the Post Road, and their inflatable rat, perched prominently near the main entrance, drew a great deal of attention. He said the picketers would be out again just before major holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Shopowners in the shopping mall were thrilled with the sudden increase in traffic, and delighted with the renovations, which have brightened the formerly tired complex with new lights, fresh landscaping, better signage and newly striped parking spaces.
Dana Robbins from LCR, a tabletop and decorative home specialty shop doing business in Westport for 16 years, recently moved to her new location at 615 Post Road East, near the new anchor.
"We've already experienced a major increase in traffic in our new shop. People are thrilled with the new look of the shopping center which has had a major impact on this part of town."
The shopping center is owned by Kowalsky Real Estate, which also owns the shopping mall across the Post Road from the site, where renovations are also planned. Jay Kowalsky said he had decided not to renew the Shaws lease because they were unwilling to upgrade the store, and that Fresh Market had approached him to put in the new store.
Drewry Sackett, manager of public and community relations for Fresh Market said, "So many of our new customers told me they were very excited to have a grocery store back in that location. We are smaller than a typical supermarket, but our customers will be able to do most, if not all, of their shopping here. Our focus on quality products and the unique shopping experience keeps customers coming back."
A press release on their website reads, "We are excited to open a store in Westport and to expand our reach into the Northeast. The Fresh Market's inviting atmosphere is reminiscent of old-world European markets. Our customers enjoy shopping in an environment that appeals to all the senses. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and bread right out of the oven, the sound of classical music, soft lighting with antique décor in an intimate setting, and the ability to select and taste fresh, high-quality products all work together to create the feel of several 'fresh' markets all under one roof."
