SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury’s Market Basket is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Jan. 13.
The store, located at 200 Hartford Turnpike, officially opened at 7 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2023, welcoming roughly 7,000 customers on the first day of operation.
“It was challenging. I’d never done a grand opening as a store manager before,” said Shrewsbury Store Manager Dan Desfosses. “I was honored, very humbled by it, and it was a great experience.”
Desfosses has been with Market Basket for 43 years.
“It’s been very smooth. I think we’ve been welcomed by the community and I think it’s a good partnership between Market Basket, the community of Shrewsbury and neighboring towns. It’s been very, very nice,” Desfosses told the Community Advocate.
The 80,000 square-foot store — Market Basket’s 88th total location — sits on the former site of Edgemere Drive-In. The Market Basket features several centrally-located aisles with non-perishables, with fish, meat, deli, refrigerated, and frozen goods around the perimeter of the store. At the front of the store, the market’s cafe offers several coffee options.
Although the store has been open for 365 days, the building shows no signs of wear and tear.
“When you’re surrounded by good people, a good management team, and then they cultivate good part-time associates, that’s the result you get. They help you keep the store looking fresh and neat all the time,” said Desfosses.
The store’s ready-to-go section is located just behind the cafe. Desfosses recommended the donuts, warm Parisian breads — which often come right out of the oven and onto store shelves — and the steak and cheese sub.
“And,” said Desfosses, continuing to list items, “you can’t deny the barbecue chicken.”
After one year of operation, Market Basket looks forward to the foreseeable future.
“My message to the community? I have to say thank you,” Desfosses said. “A big thank you to everybody who has welcomed us here. Hopefully we can keep working together, be better every day, and keep moving forward.”
For more information, visit https://www.shopmarketbasket.com/.
