Does Milford Need Another Independent Market?

Ann June 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm

M & M was always a great place to stop for "last minutes" or "I forgots"...I do miss the place very much! Hope it does not remain vacant much longer!

Starla June 12, 2012 at 12:51 pm

The store was run down and looked pretty bad. The parking lot needed repaving years ago. The produce was for the most part second rate or worse. If another food market does replace it, I hope they sell a better product.

Shelly Owens June 12, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Would love to see a co-op like downtown New Haven has in Elm City Market. Love going there.

Cheryl Craig Smith June 12, 2012 at 01:06 pm

We really need another store like M & M Market, the produce is so expensive at the "regular" food stores". Milford needs those kind of stores!

James Kelly June 12, 2012 at 01:18 pm

I would like to see a store along the lines of what Gloria's Farm Market once was: A place that has local fresh fruit and vegetables, with a meat counter and fish market, and general grocery and dairy items. While the big chain stores employ many people across the country, which is important, the independent stores do so as well, and they can relate to the independent farmer and grower better than those conglomerates, which helps add to the local economy. Considering that downtown Milford does well with small, independent shops, there is no reason to believe that those same consumers would not support a clean, well-run, and well-stocked independent market.

Ken Fellenbaum June 12, 2012 at 01:28 pm

What I don't grow myself, I buy at Milford's Shop Rite. The produce is fresh and the prices very reasonable-something is always on "special". Besides, the owner is a generous supporter of our community.

Veda June 12, 2012 at 02:01 pm

I would like to see another independent market that included fresh seafood,
local farmed produce, dairy, bakery, comparable to Gloria's , Hilltop; and Bishops. A market with a rustic atmoshere; quality products; reasonable prices and friendly people. I believe most people would frequent it.

arkay June 12, 2012 at 02:20 pm

Villa Gourmet has local dairy (eggs and raw milk), local beef, and fresh seafood on weekends. Healthy Foods Plus has a lot of good stuff too. Robert Treat Farm has wonderful produce. Scratch Bakery is top notch. So let's not ignore what's already in town. Sure it would be nice for another independent grocer, but IMO it's one thing the town doesn't really "need".

Ilene June 12, 2012 at 02:39 pm

Definitely a farmer's market type of store - maybe a co-op with different vendors.

John Pasnau June 12, 2012 at 02:49 pm

I agree with Ken. Milford has a wonderful market, with a tuned in, community minded owner. Support Shop Rite.

arkay June 12, 2012 at 02:49 pm

Do you realize we have Robert Treat Farm? That's about as "farmer's market type" as it gets.

Lindy Smith June 12, 2012 at 03:15 pm

I would like another fruit and veggy market like Just Great Produce in Springfield, Ma and Vernon, Ct

RONALD M GOLDWYN June 12, 2012 at 03:42 pm

Personally, I want a business that will pay taxes to our city. We in town have many empty buildings that need to be occupied. When we have full occupancy, it is time to get selective.

Milford Historical Society June 12, 2012 at 05:37 pm

I found that certain produce such as the fresh ginger root was fresher and half the price of the next nearest big grocery store.

John Terry June 12, 2012 at 06:32 pm

Let the city buy it and turn it inot a year round farmers maket.

Ryan Sartor (Editor) June 12, 2012 at 07:02 pm

Melissa Murray: "M&M was really good when they openned then went down hill in the last couple of years. If its a good one yes"
Lynn Setkoski: "I felt M&M had improved the last couple of years, lol. I'd like to see another market like it, while keeping it affordable." Rob Whelan: "No they don't. Do something else w/ this property.... What do you know about Shop Rite moving across the street to teh the old Drive In/Showcase property?" Dorothy Schreiner: "My understanding was that Milford Hospital owned the M & M Property." Bernadette Deamico: "a few of us were just saying yesterday how we missed M&M...summer fruits n vegs!" - Comments left on the Milford Patch Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=375021545891701&set=a.233349563392234.56583.121098787950646&type=1&theater&notif_t=like

Starla June 12, 2012 at 07:55 pm

The Robert Treat farm is great for delicious vine ripened tomatoes, almost as good as my mom used to grown in NJ. But a lot of their fuits are brought in from other parts of the country and very expensive. Their corn at 3 ears for $2 or 2 ears for $3, I forget which, is just too dear for my budget.

Abe Froeman June 12, 2012 at 08:06 pm

We need a real farmers market. Shop Rite might have the worst produce department in the city and Adams and Stop & Shop have outrageous prices. Bring back another M&M farms type store with great values and great selection.

RONALD M GOLDWYN June 13, 2012 at 02:25 pm

Mr. Terry, In this country it is not the business of government to go into private business. Nor do we want this to happen. The present site is empty, but a new tenant does not have to be a food market. M&M before closing I believe was a co-op meaning that there were 5 or more businesses renting space under one roof who are either in business elsewhere or were forced out of business.
If we want a similar business then only you can make it happen because no-one else appears ready to do so.

ginger June 13, 2012 at 09:55 pm

get stew leonards , use the old movie theater property

arkay June 14, 2012 at 12:42 am

If baffles me that didn't happen after Orange turned them down.

Kevin Stagg June 14, 2012 at 02:48 am

You just rattled off a few of my favorites! There are GREAT locally owned businesses in town! Let's support them and make sure they stay healthy!

Kevin Stagg June 14, 2012 at 02:50 am

Yes, Harry Garafalo is a community treasure! He runs a great business, it seems all his employees like him, and his stores are always clean and well stocked!

Jean July 9, 2012 at 05:51 pm

I heard it through the grapevine..Big Y is coming to the vacant theaters ..what say you..

Gemma July 9, 2012 at 10:10 pm

I completely agree. The prices were great, the fruit & vegetables were fresh. Never shopped in the supermarket. Now that I have no other choice, the prices are really killing my budget!