The 31st Market Basket in the state is set to open Saturday in Plymouth. NHPR’s Sean Hurley visited the grocery store Thursday to find out just how grand – or not – the grand opening might be.
Marie Alderink and her husband Elroy peered through the just washed windows of the new grocery store. The Hebron couple thought the store had already opened.
“Well, we’ve gone by several times and we said ‘When are they gonna open?’ ” Alderink said. “We’re so happy, cause this is our favorite grocery store to shop at! And so we’re excited. We’re coming back tomorrow morning early six o’clock. We’ll stay for the day!”
Operations Manager David McLean said he hopes not too many people show up on opening day – something he’s never hoped for before for a grand opening.
“Normally there would be a ribbon cutting, there’d be speeches, there’d be gatherings of people,” McLean said. “And what we’re asking of the customers is we’re going to be here for a long time. Not everybody has to come the first day.”
McLean says the original, pre-pandemic grand opening was set for March 20. The decision to open Saturday was made just last week after the governor announced the state’s partial reopening.
“Having already had the store prepared,” he says, “it was easy to make a decision now that it’s time.”
Marie Alderink said her dry run to the store inspired her. “I’m gonna dress up fancy for tomorrow!” she said with a laugh.
Senior shopping for those 60 and older runs from 6 to 7 a.m. tomorrow morning. Dress is fancy, or casual. Masks are requested.
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