FARMINGTON, Minnesota — It hasn't always been called Family Fresh Market, but for many years people have been coming to 115 Elm Street in downtown Farmington to shop for food. That's going to end later this month, when the city of 23,000 loses its last grocery store.
"It was More 4, then became Econofoods, and then Family Fresh and it has been the hometown grocery store for several years," Joshua Hoyt, a Farmington City Council member, told KARE.
"So, to now all of a sudden lose that and not have something in its place is disturbing. It’s unfortunate."
It was a jolt for Hoyt and fellow city council members when they received the email from the store's Michigan-based parent company, SpartanNash, saying the store wouldn't renew it's lease and would close by the end of December.
"I understand private businesses have to make tough decisions. We're a very pro-business community, and as a city we're doing all we can to help and support business growth here."
One economic reality is that many Farmington residents commute to the Twin Cities and its suburbs for jobs, and they can stop by larger supermarkets on the way to and from work.
But city leaders aren't going to stop looking for options for those who don't or can't drive.
"For the residents that have grown up and been around downtown, specifically our senior community, our low-income, transportation-challenged people, it’s difficult because now their option of one has been reduced to an option of zero," Hoyt remarked.
Both the Hy-Vee and Aldi chains have purchased farm land in the Vermillion Crossing area just west of the city, for future store locations. But that hasn't materialized yet. Hoyt said it's likely only a matter of time before one of those stores becomes reality because the Farmington area is growing at a strong pace.
Shopping options
For now, the nearest options for grocery shoppers are the Hy-Vee at 160th St. and Pilot Knob Rd. in Lakeville, or the Cub Foods at Dodd Rd. and Cedar Avenue in Lakeville. Both of those stores are roughly 7 miles away from downtown Farmington and a 12 to 15 minute drive.
Annika Maus, a Farmington resident who stopped by Family Fresh on Friday, said she's able to drive to other stores. But as a mother of two young children she will miss the convenience of having that local option.
"It’s something where you can kind of go down the street to grab your milk, your eggs, everybody’s super friendly," Maus explained. "It’s one of those small town stores that you really like to go to because you like the people there, you want to give them business."
She said she's very concerned about the people who will be losing their jobs. And, like Hoyt, she knows the senior population and others who don't have cars will feel the impact the most.
Recently the staff at the local branch of the Dakota County Library began instructing downtown residents how to order food online for home delivery. That can be done at the library for those who don't have computers.
Company's response
SpartanNash's vice president for corporate affairs, Meredith Gremel, provided this statement to KARE about the Farmington store's closure:
"SpartanNash and our Family Fresh Market stores have proudly served the Farmington community for many years. Recently, we made the difficult decision not to renew our lease, and we have announced to our associates that we will be closing the Family Fresh Market located at 115 Elm St. in Farmington.
"Our final day of operation is scheduled for late December. This closure is a business decision based on our continuous evaluation of our retail footprint and what is best for our more than 155 corporate-owned stores, our associates and the communities we serve.
"While it is never an easy decision to close a store, this is not a reflection on our dedicated associates or their commitment to serving our customers. In fact, we are working with our 50 full- and part-time associates to offer them employment opportunities in surrounding Family Fare stores in nearby communities."
The company's operates Family Fare stores in Northfield, Cannon Falls and Red Wing. It also has Family Fresh Market locations in St. Peter and River Falls, Wisconsin.