BRUNSWICK, MARYLAND, A TOWN OF 6,000 RESIDENTS AND NO GROCERY STORE??

Wow, they're going to have to hitch up the wagons and head to Purcellville or Leesburg!  With those distances you can't just go there for one or two things!

Hi Lenn,

White Plains had this issue in the early 1990s when my late mother was running for city council.  A city of about 48,000 live-in residents and about 150-200,000 commuters and only one supermarket - and a small one at that.   From what I recall from my mother's campaign there were a couple of problems.  Supermarkets and grocery stores have a very low profit margin so that getting a foothold in a town with a lot of retail (which White Plains is noted for - even back in the early 90s) is a tough nut because the rents are high.  Then there is also the NIMBY issues.  Every place they tried to put the grocery store the residents were up in arms because of the traffic issue - a fear no one could put to rest because you've got nearly 50,000 people who need to buy food!

I would think that once a grocery store goes in, then home sales will be much easier in Brunswick.

I love the quaintness of the town however in your photos!

Lenn....

My home town in Montana was down to once grocery story many years ago and it really made shopping tough. Of course times have changed, but my Mom drives 28-20 miles to Bozeman to hit Walmart or Costco and use to do ALL her grocery shopping at a particular store in Bozeman until it opened in her home town.

But no store at all? My partner's brother owns a market in New York and the grocery business is a tough one to make money in right now. They have a very slim profit margin from what I understand, and shopping can be very cyclical too...

Hope someone sees an opportunity!

Lenn

It sounds like Brunswick, Maryland has a ready made business opportunity.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Hello Lenn ..This is a sad turn of events especially for the seniors. I heard on the economic report the other day ..They were not expecting the economy to pick up until 2014 ..What's a person  to do living on a limited budget/income ..This makes me very sad and troubled.

Helpfulhannah

Lenn- I am so grateful that Whole Foods still opened up here in Wellington after the real estate crash. 

Living in a small town, we can totaly relate.  Our WalMart was the #1 store in the ENTIRE company for years since it was the only one within a 50 mile radius.  50 MILES!!  Of course, they have opened a couple more now and we can actually move around in WalMart on a Sunday afternoon now. 

Those poor residence of the apartments next door will, more than likely, be the hardest hit.

Ruthmarie- It is very true that the grocery stores have a super low profit margin and that is not going to change anytime soon. They have been absorbing much of the rising food prices but that can only last so long. 

Lenn,

Wow, that is certainly a problem. Hope they get the new one up and going soon.

Lenn, I can see the convenient stores raising their prices until a new store open.s

Sounds like a great place for a store.  Send a letter to Supervalue.

Lenn: Is there a Chamber or a County economic development authority working on this? The powers that be need to look at the consumers in the town, plus the planned development(s) to create a business plan to entice a chain.

I agree that the type of store coming in will depend on the demographics of the area.

Finally, does anyone know if the SuperFreah made money? Not all of the closed stores were in distress. A profitable or near profitable store history could be an enticement for a new chain. The size of the store, the mix of the merchandise could be planned and adapted as new development comes in.

Lenn, that will be a terrible loss for the elderly thatwould take the short walk next door. Those that work out of town will have a slight inconvenience, but they'll make it. It is an opportunity waiting to happen for someone, however.