32 replies to this topic

[The Voice of Reason]

HartfordHope, on 18 March 2011 - 07:39 AM, said:

I stopped in yesterday.  The place is really nice and was really busy.  They have alot of prepared foods, a pizza oven, sushi, butcher, produce, coffee, and your typical grocery store stuff.  Obviously he crowds are becuase it is new but I think it will do pretty well even once the newness wears off.  They even have tables set up outside so people can have their coffee and slice of pizza on the sidewalk.

Tables outside is a good idea.  Thanks for the update Hartford Hope!

[Hiramicus]

As a downtown resident, I've been a few times, and I've liked everything I've gotten.  The prepared foods seem like a real chef is behind them.  Can't wait to try more of them.  

I'm most surprised that it's not outrageously overpriced compared to some place like Whole Foods, where I usually shop.  I went in looking at prices of things that I buy normally, and they're either on the market or slightly below.  Very nice to see!!

All the produce is really fresh and the meats and fishes look delicious.  I think this place could become a niche market because they carry some interesting cuts of meat, aged meats, and random other things such as foie gras, quail eggs and duck liver.  If you wanted to buy these things, you really can't find them at any grocery store I've been to in the greater hartford area, especially whole foods.  I think this could lure people downtown.

every time I've been in there, there's been a decent amount of people there.

[HartfordTycoon]

Hiramicus, on 26 March 2011 - 01:14 PM, said:

As a downtown resident, I've been a few times, and I've liked everything I've gotten.  The prepared foods seem like a real chef is behind them.  Can't wait to try more of them.  

I'm most surprised that it's not outrageously overpriced compared to some place like Whole Foods, where I usually shop.  I went in looking at prices of things that I buy normally, and they're either on the market or slightly below.  Very nice to see!!

All the produce is really fresh and the meats and fishes look delicious.  I think this place could become a niche market because they carry some interesting cuts of meat, aged meats, and random other things such as foie gras, quail eggs and duck liver.  If you wanted to buy these things, you really can't find them at any grocery store I've been to in the greater hartford area, especially whole foods.  I think this could lure people downtown.

every time I've been in there, there's been a decent amount of people there.

Great update. I haven't had the chance to get by there yet but will definitely stop in soon. My brother lives Downtown so I'll have to stop in there the next time I'm over there. This place definitely sounds like it could be very successful and really help with the whole vibe Downtown.

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

http://www.courant.c...,0,796781.story

Going down, sad to say.  Maybe the West End would be a better locale (a la Cheese n' Stuff).

[HartfordTycoon]

Theophrastus Bombastus, on 14 September 2011 - 11:23 AM, said:

http://www.courant.c...,0,796781.story

Going down, sad to say.  Maybe the West End would be a better locale (a la Cheese n' Stuff).

It is too bad that they are struggling. Hopefully they can pull it out. Downtown simply may not be ready for this type of market. I'm curious as to what type of business Al's Market almost across the street is doing. I'm sure that they are doing pretty well with their lower cost, no frills, convenience store business model with it's later hours. Some people thought that they would be a threat to the smaller store but I always figured it would be the other way around.

[The Voice of Reason]

It really is a shame they are struggling.

If they can stick it out until the apartments on the plaza and Hollander 2 are done, and in the mean time create a niche I think it will eventually work out.

Problem is that there really are still not that many downtown residents to support the grocery business.

With 193+50 apartments likely coming online in the next 24 months, the next two years will be critical for downtown hartford.
I feel like the demand is incredibly strong right now and if we can get the starts on these and other apartments, it would provide some light at the end of the tunnel for the grocery store.

[HartfordHope]

Temporarily closed.  Not good news

http://www.courant.c...,0,390881.story

[Hartfordfan]

the market is closed for good. very sad.

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

foul fail......

http://discussions.c...ing-20111230/10

[The Voice of Reason]

yeah, its kinda expected, but sad too.  

on the other hand with 3 small markets and cvs offering a few staples, maybe thats enough for now. and of course peapod.

I just hope that the apartments on the plaza still go through.

if they do, i hope that someone either expands their existing market, or someone tries to give a proper grocery a shot again. sadly i feel that it will be a tricky on and off dance for a while and each housing option will help, but we might be 5-10 years away, or 2-5000 apartments away.

Edited by The Voice of Reason, 30 December 2011 - 08:26 PM.

[HartfordTycoon]

The Voice of Reason, on 30 December 2011 - 08:24 PM, said:

yeah, its kinda expected, but sad too.  

on the other hand with 3 small markets and cvs offering a few staples, maybe thats enough for now. and of course peapod.

I just hope that the apartments on the plaza still go through.

if they do, i hope that someone either expands their existing market, or someone tries to give a proper grocery a shot again. sadly i feel that it will be a tricky on and off dance for a while and each housing option will help, but we might be 5-10 years away, or 2-5000 apartments away.

Downtown just wasn't ready for that concept yet. When I first read about them hiring like 100 employees it honestly set of some red flags for me. I knew that the small mini mart types like Al's Market had staples and about 90% less overhead cost and it was going to be difficult to make the premium super market model work downtown at this juncture. I think they should focus on encouraging more small markets right now since all people really need is a place to get milk, eggs, cold cuts, and toilet paper with convenient hours.

[HartfordHope]

http://www.hartfordb...tml?Type=search

Al's market looks to be a sucess atleast.  A second location right up the street is opening.

[HartfordTycoon]

HartfordHope, on 11 January 2012 - 06:23 AM, said:

http://www.hartfordb...tml?Type=search

Al's market looks to be a sucess atleast.  A second location right up the street is opening.

This is great. I think more Al's Market type establishments should give it a go throughout downtown. Looks like the owner of Al's agrees. His business model is far more pragmatic than what was attempted at the Market at H21. Looking back it was definitely a little too ambitious as has Northland's entire approach been to developing the retail at H21. There is no reason why some of the long standing tenants should not have been invited back with Northland assisting them with some of the costs.