Business & Tech
Fresh and Green's to Shutter its Regional Supermarkets
All six Maryland and D.C. store locations will close at the end of December.
By the end of the year, Fresh & Green's supermarket in Arnold will be closed along with all other D.C. and Maryland chains, according to its parent company.
All six Maryland and D.C. store locations will close at the end of December, Reuters reported Monday.
Natural Markets Food Group, parent company of Fresh & Green's, released a statement that despite efforts, the stores were not profitable.
"Closing stores is never easy, given the impact on employees and the communities they serve…but there are times when it is necessary, and this is such a time. We’ve reached the point at which continuing to operate these stores does not make financial sense for the company," said NMFG Chief Executive Officer Robin S. Michel in the statement.
Fresh & Green's supermarket anchored the College Parkway Center in Arnold, also known as the Bay Hills Shopping Center. Several business owners within the center reported they had floundered since the supermarket chain replaced Superfresh in 2011.
Brad McCormack closed his family's Hallmark store, Bay Hills Card and Gifts, in February after more than 25 years at the Arnold location. McCormack said he noticed a distinct decline in traffic at the shopping center after the supermarket changed hands two years ago.
The same experience was related to Patch by Della & Jane owner Kim Cantoli, who said she saw traffic into the center diminish dramatically. Keeping her women and children's clothing store open quickly became unfeasible, and she has since seen success by transferring her wares to online marketplaces like Etsy.
Bob Burdon, President of the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, said having a strong anchor for shopping centers is essential. Without one, the smaller retailers can't thrive.
"If there's not a secure anchor, or one that brings traffic, then everyone hurts," Burdon said.
Patch has reached out to the owners of the shopping center for comment on the future of Fresh & Green's space. Stay tuned for further updates.
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