WCVB reported that Ahold Delhaize, the parent company, says it will close underperforming stores but there is so far no list. They also own Hannaford and some other American supermarket chains but thus far there was nothing about closing other chain’s stores.
3 Likes
If they do close down some Hannaford stores, I won’t be surprised if the one on the Tewksbury/Lowell line gets closed. They’re opposite a Market Basket (where they had the rallies during the strike) and the ONLY time I’ve seen that store busy with a full parking lot was during the strike.
On the other hand, the Stop & Shop on Main Street in Stoneham was always packed when I lived in Woburn from 1995-2011. Not sure if it’s still that way.
The Stop and Shop on the McGrath in Somerville is terrible. Rotting produce highly priced. Self checkout always malfunctions. Only one or two in person check outs open. No one around to answer questions. We’ve lived within a few blocks for over 22 years and always except in emergency, go instead to Somerville Market Basket (at off hours, parking lot is hideous and crowded) because there produce is much better, prices cheaper, employees very helpful and efficient OR Trader Joes at Assembly for some favored products OR Whole Foods, where the produce is always high quality and prices not so bad.
Starting May and going through weekend before Thanksgiving, produce purchases are mostly are Union Square Farmers Market and other FMs especially Central Square and Charles River in Cambridge.
1 Like
i, too, brave the somerville avenue market basket, even without a car it’s a challenge — but well worth it.
i’ve always wished that they had been able to expand into that mcgrath location — would have been perfect. but, i don’t think mb was expanding at the time.
in addition to the farmers markets, neighborhood produce (medford street and ball square) have a nice selection of produce at good prices. they also have a lot of stuff available in bulk bins, including spices and dried fruits, along with sophia’s yogurt.
2 Likes
The S&S in Natick (Route 9 at Route 27) is awful: bad produce and unpleasant employees. We avoid it like the plague, even if we have other errands in the same shopping center. The store in Framingham (by BJ’s, Target, and the YMCA) is nicer. We still prefer Wegmans though.
2 Likes
Me too. The funny thing is that Wegman’s really isn’t more expensive for packaged grocery items.
3 Likes
I hope they don’t use this as an excuse to close down stores in neighborhoods where they are the only market within a reasonable distance though. That would be a big bummer.
6 Likes
We have a Hannafords in Waltham that is my primary grocery store (better produce and selection than the Star that is closer to me). I hope that it isn’t affected as part of any closures. Otherwise, I will probably switch to Market Basket, although I hate how crowded it is (like the quality of their products and produce though).
My happy place. 
Their prices were almost on a par with MB when reviewed awhile back by Boston.com, IIRC (maybe around 2016?).
Here’s an updated one from Dec. '22 - the produce and overall quality for S&S is the lowest.
1 Like
The Stop & Shop in Arlington is somewhere I go exclusively for packaged/processed items. Works for me in a pinch (like last night, when I was late for a school picnic, picking up Bomb Pops that were on sale for 2 packs of 12 for $6). And there’s a wine shop right next door. It’s got decent traffic - I don’t think it’s one of the locations on the chopping block.
I hope the Waltham Hannafords isn’t impacted too . . .
But that Stop and Shop on River Street (that’s probably Watertown, so Pleasant St at that point?) has got to be on the list. It’s always empty, I can’t imagine how they are still open.
1 Like
