Star Market Closing

SAMIAM · 02-01-2009, 09:39 AM

Looks like DM's prediction came true.Star is closing the doors.Sign in the door announced that there would be a discount starting on monday as they sell off their inventory.I talked with the manager and everyone there will soon be out of work which is a scary thought the way the economy is.It's really sad.....it's a great store,but just overpriced due to the owners,not the management.Hate to see anyone go under.

twoplustwo · 02-01-2009, 09:59 AM

Corporate greed has been lining the owners' pockets for how long? Now the loyal employees will do the paying instead of the locals and the tourists.

It's a harsh world out there, and I speak from experience as someone laid off in October who can't even find a p/t job.

Brother, can you spare a dime (for the Lakes Region)?

ApS · 02-06-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazelnut

"...I was a huge patron of Pier 19 in Tuftonboro even though the prices were high..."

After paying 75¢ for one apple there, I learned to carry a snack with me!

(Purchased locally, of course

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakesRegionSpirit

"...If we want local business to stay in business we have to patronize them...How many drive by the local hardware store on their way to Lowe's to buy at a cheaper price?...Do your part...!"

Yer preachin' to the choir, here. Even before gasoline reached $4 per gallon, the time saved was worth it—especially if one or more items had to be exchanged!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonaChick

"...the price gouging that JS has done for years in my opinion is not only unacceptable but also unethical..."

We forget that the former Soviet Union had "centralized planning" for their grocery stores prices—and empty shelves!

Stores should be free to use whatever pricing plan that "the traffic will bear":
No matter how inconvenient, none should dictate prices to JS in a free market system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoplustwo

"...Corporate greed has been lining the owners' pockets for how long...?"

Around last September, some would be in favor of raising corporate taxes to counter "corporate greed"—but not today?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. V

"...http://www.wincofoods.com/history.htm This is a great chain of grocery stores, very large, inexpensive, good quality. One can only hope they decide to expand to the east coast, but I doubt they will..."

Just one state away from your location is a restaurant that won't give you a check after a meal.

From a real estate site there:

Quote:

"...today I read about a unique restaurant in Salt Lake City called One World Cafe...If you go and eat there, don’t expect a check at the end of your meal...You tell them what size portion you want...and then you pay what you think is fair..."

While that "plan" may work over on your coast, do you think that pricing theory has a chance among Yankees—and especially anywhere near FLL?

fatlazyless · 02-01-2009, 10:14 AM

At $1.89/four bagels, J-Star baked the best bagels in a different flavors; pumperknickle, plain, french toast, seesamee, onion, and cinnamon-raisin. Those J-Star bagels will be missed!

Hannaford's is a division of the 2000+ food stores, owned by Belgium company Delhaize Group with stores in asia, europe, & america.

Here's hoping the J-Star space becomes a dollar store like Family Dollar, or Wardo's, or a flea market with 25 different venders. Probably, it will be an empty space for three years, or something.

Hannaford's-Rite Aid-Olympia Sports......el yucko....talk about a lack of independant, owner-operated stores

!

...hey...for a super-duper Super...there's the E M Heath's just up the road in Center Harbor

! and, ditto that for Heath's Hardware.

phoenix · 02-01-2009, 11:09 AM

sad for people to lose their jobs but not surprising that they lost business as many complaints have been aired for sometime. Hope that MB goes in will save a lot of gas going to Tilton

sa meredith · 02-01-2009, 11:37 AM

I am sorry to read this.
Although the prices drove me crazy, I was a very regular customer this store...very convient location for us.
I wish well to all the empoyees being displaced.

Lakesrider · 02-01-2009, 11:42 AM

Hate to say it like this, but as soon as Hannafords opened, those folks should have been looking for another job. Just a fact. And yes it will most likely stay empty for a while. Look at the space at the other end of that mall. It was empty for a long time as well. until the Home theater place opened up.

I think they should get a Bob's store or a TGI Fridays, Applebee's in there. Or some other chain restaraunt, other than a McDonalds.

LakesRegionSpirit · 02-01-2009, 01:40 PM

I am (was?) a sometimes shopper at J-star.

I want to make a general comment without generalizing (if that is possible) and it is not particularly aimed at this specific closing.

But, all too often I hear people lament the closing of a local, possibly higher priced, local operation. Usually they notice the closing of a local shop on their way to Wal-Mart.

If we want local business to stay in business we have to patronize them. I but at Sunflowers, I know Ana, I can talk to her directly. I buy at Beans and Green's. I know Martina and I want to see a farm on my drive down Intervale Road. I go to the chain stores as a last resort.

This costs me more money but I look at it as an investment in the local community which, to me, is worth something above and beyond the product I buy.

How many drive by the local hardware store on their way to Lowe's to buy at a cheaper price?

How many drive by the local farm stands to buy at Market Basket.

You can not have it both ways.

I have started a local venture that is trying to invest in local people and their talents.

We may not be able to solve the world's problems, but we can certainly give a shot at dealing with our local community.

So, next time you all drive by a local venture and hope that it stays in business. Do your part!

Just my .02

KonaChick · 02-02-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakesRegionSpirit

I am (was?) a sometimes shopper at J-star.

I want to make a general comment without generalizing (if that is possible) and it is not particularly aimed at this specific closing.

But, all too often I hear people lament the closing of a local, possibly higher priced, local operation. Usually they notice the closing of a local shop on their way to Wal-Mart.

If we want local business to stay in business we have to patronize them. I but at Sunflowers, I know Ana, I can talk to her directly. I buy at Beans and Green's. I know Martina and I want to see a farm on my drive down Intervale Road. I go to the chain stores as a last resort.

This costs me more money but I look at it as an investment in the local community which, to me, is worth something above and beyond the product I buy.

How many drive by the local hardware store on their way to Lowe's to buy at a cheaper price?

How many drive by the local farm stands to buy at Market Basket.

You can not have it both ways.

I have started a local venture that is trying to invest in local people and their talents.

We may not be able to solve the world's problems, but we can certainly give a shot at dealing with our local community.

So, next time you all drive by a local venture and hope that it stays in business. Do your part!

Just my .02

Your points are well taken but JS is in a different catagory than your local farm stand or hardware store. I'm all for paying a little extra to help boost the local economy however the price gauging that JS has done for years in my opinion is not only unacceptable but also unethical. I feel badly for the long term employees that counted on their JS paycheck to help pay their mortgage and put food on their tables however I can only wonder how badly the owners of JS feel, after all they are responsible for their current predicament.

hazelnut · 02-02-2009, 12:00 PM

I concur with KonaChick,

LakesRegionSpirit you do make excellent points that I completely agree with. The only problem with your post is that I don't feel it applies to Jackson Star.

These owners were just about gouging their customers. This was hardly a situation like a small business that has to charge more to make the profit margin.

Your post is more aligned with Heath's and the small businesses that you mentioned. I am all for patronizing the little guy. I was a huge patron of Pier 19 in Tuftonboro even though the prices were high. Unfortunately they couldn't make it work and had to shut down for good.

jeffk · 02-02-2009, 01:25 PM

The problem is one, as is common in rural areas, of the lack of choice.

There are many levels of restaurants in the area and people make their choices as to the type of experience they want and what they are willing to pay for it. You can choose to chow down in the Mug or the Coe house. Both places have their happy clientèle.

There is probably not enough business in the area to support two large markets in Meredith throughout the year. Jackson Star has had an exclusive for a while and people had no choice unless they went further out of their way to Heaths. So they put up with the higher prices but weren't happy about it. My guess is that most don't feel that they were getting more value to go along with the additional cost. Would you pay the price of the Coe House if the experience was essentially the same as the Mug?

So now people have a choice and Jackson Star doesn't have enough business to keep afloat. This is the way capitalism works. Choice, competition. and consequences.

Hannaford's could now raise their prices to Jackson Star's level and they might get away with it for awhile. But they would run the risk of someone coming along someday, just like they just have, and offering everyone a better choice.

sa meredith · 02-02-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazelnut

I concur with KonaChick,

LakesRegionSpirit you do make excellent points that I completely agree with. The only problem with your post is that I don't feel it applies to Jackson Star.

These owners were just about gouging their customers. This was hardly a situation like a small business that has to charge more to make the profit margin.

Your post is more aligned with Heath's and the small businesses that you mentioned. I am all for patronizing the little guy. I was a huge patron of Pier 19 in Tuftonboro even though the prices were high. Unfortunately they couldn't make it work and had to shut down for good.

You worded that very nicely. Especially the parts about what JS does/did vs. small, local business that need to charge a bit more simply to survive.

I will miss the convenience of their (JS) location though. Miss it a lot...

Happy Gourmand · 02-02-2009, 02:28 PM

It's sad that so many will be without work when this store closes. We frequented this store when we were at the lake during the summer, and, other than the high prices, we appreciated the clientelle, the selection and the cleanliness of the store.
We were in Meredith last Saturday and stopped by Hannaford's to check it out. I don't believe they are on the same pricing schedule as the store in Nashua, my wife commented that prices seemed high. She grabbed 2 20oz bottles of Coke on the way out, but when the price came up as $1.50 each, she asked the cashier to return one.
We'd love to see Market Basket take over the JS location. They seem to have the best prices around Nashua and the lake if you're willing to drive to tilton.

LakesRegionSpirit · 02-02-2009, 03:29 PM

I guess the comments about wanting a Market Basket in town because their prices are lower is part of my earlier point.

We all want local business to survive in theory, but when it comes to spending our own dollar, we want the cheapest prices. Well, with cheap prices, comes cheap wages; underpaid workers; lack of high end service.

I , personally, do not want a Market Basket. They are not a local business. I want the Beans and Greens, The Moulton Farms, The Sunflowers, etc. where the owner is behind the counter.

That is what makes the Lakes Region what it is. We need to support local economies, not national chains.

Downtown Laconia is, or was, full of locally owned shops, all of which are being hit hard right now. That's because people don't shop there. But when the store fronts empty out, like Bloom's, etc. Everyone is sad that they didn't stay.

It ain't magic. You want them to stay, shop there.

GTO · 02-02-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakesRegionSpirit

I am (was?) a sometimes shopper at J-star.

I want to make a general comment without generalizing (if that is possible) and it is not particularly aimed at this specific closing.

But, all too often I hear people lament the closing of a local, possibly higher priced, local operation. Usually they notice the closing of a local shop on their way to Wal-Mart.

If we want local business to stay in business we have to patronize them. I but at Sunflowers, I know Ana, I can talk to her directly. I buy at Beans and Green's. I know Martina and I want to see a farm on my drive down Intervale Road. I go to the chain stores as a last resort.

This costs me more money but I look at it as an investment in the local community which, to me, is worth something above and beyond the product I buy.

How many drive by the local hardware store on their way to Lowe's to buy at a cheaper price?

How many drive by the local farm stands to buy at Market Basket.

You can not have it both ways.

I have started a local venture that is trying to invest in local people and their talents.

We may not be able to solve the world's problems, but we can certainly give a shot at dealing with our local community.

So, next time you all drive by a local venture and hope that it stays in business. Do your part!

Just my .02

JS cannot be compared to a local anything. Its a large grocery store that has been overpriced from the day they opened, why...because they were conveinent to get too on your way into your lake house for the week. We as consumers are always looking for bargains/sales. I'm thinking when JS first heard of Hannafords going in, maybe then they should have slashed their prices and tried to be more competitive. In this economy with thousands of people out of work (like twoplustwo) it is difficult to spend money. I have been in that situation (for 8 months). If I could save $20 on my food bill each week by driving to Gilford, I would. Oh sure, support the locals, but who is going to support me when I don't have enough food on my table.

Moss Creek Media · 02-01-2009, 03:46 PM

Why does it have to be a chain restaurant? Just something good and affordable would be nice. Chain places tend not to blend into the local architecture (could you imagine a Taco Bell with the stucco and arch w/bell, the old style Taco Bell?)

Kirk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakesrider

I think they should get a Bob's store or a TGI Fridays, Applebee's in there. Or some other chain restaraunt, other than a McDonalds.

Irish mist · 02-01-2009, 04:12 PM

Boy......that was fast ! Terrible ownership. I feel bad for the workers cause there are no jobs out there.
________
Find Headshop

Sunrise Point · 02-01-2009, 09:01 PM

I was there on Saturday and was horrified to see the sign about the closing and the sell-off. The young lady at the cash register had tears in her eyes when she talked about it. I am going to miss them. I sincerely hope that the employees are able to find jobs and get on with their lives.

I have a feeling that the space will be vacant for a long while...

donnamatrix · 02-02-2009, 03:38 PM

It's true I won't miss their pricing, but the people who work at JS are really good folks and it's nasty that they will lose their jobs because the Star management has decined to modify their business strategy to be competitive. I agree with FLL, the bagels are great! I try to support our local businesses... Moulton Farm is the best no matter what-why go elsewhere? I love Chick-a-Dee station, and his prices, although twice as high on certain items, are mostly competitive. I love Aubuchon in Moultonboro and True Value in Laconia... but would dearly love a Market Basket in the JS spot. Very unsettling times for everyone.

secondcurve · 02-02-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

It's true I won't miss their pricing, but the people who work at JS are really good folks and it's nasty that they will lose their jobs because the Star management has decined to modify their business strategy to be competitive. I agree with FLL, the bagels are great! I try to support our local businesses... Moulton Farm is the best no matter what-why go elsewhere? I love Chick-a-Dee station, and his prices, although twice as high on certain items, are mostly competitive. I love Aubuchon in Moultonboro and True Value in Laconia... but would dearly love a Market Basket in the JS spot. Very unsettling times for everyone.

Donna:

Have you ever considered the possibility that this small supermarket had to charge higher prices to stay in business? Food retailing is a business that operates on razor thin margins. It is likely that Jackson Star didn't have access to the same purchase prices as its larger competitors. Otherwise, when the competition moved into town they would have cut their prices to the level of Hannaford's and stayed in business.

GTO · 02-02-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Donna:

Have you ever considered the possibility that this small supermarket had to charge higher prices to stay in business? Food retailing is a business that operates on razor thin margins. It is likely that Jackson Star didn't have access to the same purchase prices as its larger competitors. Otherwise, when the competition moved into town they would have cut their prices to the level of Hannaford's and stayed in business.

I think they were relying on their local/regulars/devoted shoppers to keep them in business. There were items at the Blue Canoe that were cheaper. They could have done better with their pricing especially when Hannafords were coming in. Nothing went down in price, nothing. Can you blame anyone for shopping cheaper....especially these days.

Moss Creek Media · 02-02-2009, 09:37 PM

I think if they could have survived into the summer, they'd be ok, because with the tourists in the area, there would be plenty of shopping there (for those who don't want to deal with Meredith traffic).

But, it's hard to run a business of that size for seasonal profits.

fatlazyless · 02-02-2009, 10:16 PM

Wanna know a little secret...here's how to shop at Hannaford's and get the prices of the DeMoula's Market Basket in Tilton...just go to the Hannaford's in Plymouth. Maybe I was hallucinating, but I don't think so, the Hannaford's-Plymouth was happily a very busy store until the Super Wal-Mart opened in 2003, about one mile away and siphoned off a lot of the biz. To compete with the new Wal-Mart, which has food, the Plymouth Hannaford is priced accordingly.

Irish mist · 02-03-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Donna:

Have you ever considered the possibility that this small supermarket had to charge higher prices to stay in business? Food retailing is a business that operates on razor thin margins. It is likely that Jackson Star didn't have access to the same purchase prices as its larger competitors. Otherwise, when the competition moved into town they would have cut their prices to the level of Hannaford's and stayed in business.

Star Market is a big concern. This was no mom & pop store. Jackson Star had another store in Gilford that had the same high prices. That's the business model this owner chose to use. He put the screws to people in the Gilford area for years until Hannaford came in and ran hin out like they just ran him out of Meredith.
________
Kd engine

Skip · 02-03-2009, 06:51 AM

HERE is a story in this morning's Citizen with more details on the store's closing.

secondcurve · 02-03-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish mist

Star Market is a big concern. This was no mom & pop store. Jackson Star had another store in Gilford that had the same high prices. That's the business model this owner chose to use. He put the screws to people in the Gilford area for years until Hannaford came in and ran hin out like they just ran him out of Meredith.

Irish Mist:

It sounds like this was an independent using the Star name, not a Star company store. Also, earlier in this thread someone alluded to the fact that seasonality hurt the store as well. This is a good point. Seasonality and 5% gross margins aren't a recipe to make a lot of money. I think you would be surprised at how little independents earn, despite what seem like high prices to you. In any event, they are gone so hopefully the other store picks up the slack and competitively meets the needs of the community.

fatlazyless · 02-03-2009, 09:07 AM

About two years ago, I crossed paths in the food section of the Plymouth Super Wal-Mart with a lady employee of the J-Star. Coincidentally, we were both picking out yogurt, at the same time. So's, I spoke up, and said something like: "Doesn't the Meredith Star give you an employee discount?," recognizing her as a J-Star employee. And, she replied, that while she works at J-Star, she does her food shopping at this Wal-Mart. I was a little struck by that and didn't know what to say....so there was a pause...and the brief conversation ended.

How about that....how do you like them apples? No employee discount

!

.................................................. ................................

By the way, the $1.75/ big 32oz, Great Value brand/ Wal-Mart / green & white label stuff is the best yogurt around.....beats the pants off Colombo or Dannon, and costs much less!

hazelnut · 02-03-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Irish Mist:

It sounds like this was an independent using the Star name, not a Star company store. Also, earlier in this thread someone alluded to the fact that seasonality hurt the store as well. This is a good point. Seasonality and 5% gross margins aren't a recipe to make a lot of money. I think you would be surprised at how little independents earn, despite what seem like high prices to you. In any event, they are gone so hopefully the other store picks up the slack and competitively meets the needs of the community.

Secondcurve,

This was no small mom and pop organization. See the link:

http://www.omnifoodssupermarkets.com/index.html

Note that they lost another store in Chestnut Hill to a "Lease Running Out." This was a chain that had buying power and the ability to pass those savings on to the customer. They chose not to do so. In the end it bit them in the butt. You also oversimplify things by stating that they could just ".. cut their prices to the level of Hannaford's and stay(ed) in business..." I'm afraid that it just doesn't work that way. People do not forget that easily. If you noticed Jackson Star had a huge banner out front for the last few months "DOUBLE MANUFACTURERS COUPONS." Essentially cutting their prices down to Hannafords levels. It did not seem to work. The wheels for this closure were started long, long ago. It was only a matter of time before this happened. It is unfortunate and in this economic crisis I feel for the employees. The focus should not be on the people who abandoned shopping at Jackson Star. The blame is squarely on the shoulders of the ownership. To continually equate Jackson Star with "Heath's" "Beans and Greens" "Moulton Farms" etc and other Mom and Pop shops is incorrect in my opinion.

Lakegeezer · 02-03-2009, 12:10 PM

Once summer gets here, we're going to wish there was a grocery store where JS currently is. Traffic engineering was apparently not part of the Hannaford site plan and it will be very difficult to get in and out of that parking lot during July and August.

secondcurve · 02-03-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazelnut

Secondcurve,

This was no small mom and pop organization. See the link:

http://www.omnifoodssupermarkets.com/index.html

Note that they lost another store in Chestnut Hill to a "Lease Running Out." This was a chain that had buying power and the ability to pass those savings on to the customer. They chose not to do so. In the end it bit them in the butt. You also oversimplify things by stating that they could just ".. cut their prices to the level of Hannaford's and stay(ed) in business..." I'm afraid that it just doesn't work that way. People do not forget that easily. If you noticed Jackson Star had a huge banner out front for the last few months "DOUBLE MANUFACTURERS COUPONS." Essentially cutting their prices down to Hannafords levels. It did not seem to work. The wheels for this closure were started long, long ago. It was only a matter of time before this happened. It is unfortunate and in this economic crisis I feel for the employees. The focus should not be on the people who abandoned shopping at Jackson Star. The blame is squarely on the shoulders of the ownership. To continually equate Jackson Star with "Heath's" "Beans and Greens" "Moulton Farms" etc and other Mom and Pop shops is incorrect in my opinion.

Hazelnut:

Trust me. This is small for the grocery business. $10-20 million for three stores? Maybe less? Who knows, but in any event 3-stores is tiny for this industry. I will note that there are hardly any small chains left in NE.

phoenix · 02-03-2009, 09:41 PM

in the end they didn't focus on their customer needs( i stopped going there two years ago) and was only a matter of time tiill this happened that is when an alternative was available. Look back at prior posts and they have never to my knowledge been very positive. So whether large or small if you don't take care of your customers they will walk to the competition

Irish mist · 02-03-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Hazelnut:

Trust me. This is small for the grocery business. $10-20 million for three stores? Maybe less? Who knows, but in any event 3-stores is tiny for this industry. I will note that there are hardly any small chains left in NE.

Were you around here when Jackson Star in Gilford used to go up on its prices on weekends to gouge the summer folks ? It caused a lot of resentment on the part of summer folks & on the part of locals too. It left a lasting impression on people from away that the locals up here were out to screw them over.....not a good thing to have happen in a tourist area. I don't care how big, or small this business was....they set out to gouge people on a regular basis. It was the "businerss model" that they used. I was here. I seen it. Where do you think ALL this resentment is coming from ? Why do you think that store closed so quickly ? People have long memories. They don't forget.

Jackson Star did not just jack up prices a few cents here & there.......they gouged people on purpose in a systamatic, constant way. The minute they had to compete they folded.
________
Buy Cannabis Seeds

hazelnut · 02-03-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Hazelnut:

Trust me. This is small for the grocery business. $10-20 million for three stores? Maybe less? Who knows, but in any event 3-stores is tiny for this industry. I will note that there are hardly any small chains left in NE.

True that it isn't exactly huge but I guess we are both nitpicking here. The point I was trying to make is that this store hardly qualifies as a local mom and pop shop that can be compared with one of the local homegrown businesses. This was an operation with multiple stores! The FACT is that they had high prices. An organization came along and put them out of business. Simple economics. I just don't see where some people have lamented this as if this were Moulton Farms or Winnipesaukee Bagels or The Village Kitchen or Heaths or...... etc. They are absolutely not the same thing.

jmen24 · 02-04-2009, 09:50 AM

I have been reading on this forum for years and finally got around to joining, lots of great information on this site.
I wanted to post this information, because I have read multiple posts regarding wanting an MB in varius areas around the lake.

You will not see a Market Basket go into the location of an existing store that has closed unless they can buy the entire strip mall that they would occupy. Market Basket only has two stores that are on property that they do not own. One on Stores st in Concord and the second is in southern NH or MA.
The Demoulas family actually spends quite a bit in the area as they have a family compound on the lake. Do not ask where as I do not have exact location.

jmen24

parrothead · 02-04-2009, 10:55 AM

I'm sorry for all the employee's that lost their job in these hard times. A grocery store will be missed in that plaza come the summer time. Traffic is heavier getting out of that parking lot and through the lights now, I can't imagine how the added congestion of shoppers is going impact the traffic come summertime. Jackson Star while more expensive, was convenient when coming off the highway. I stopped there mostly to pick up items that we forgot, and not to do major shopping trips so the expensive prices were more palpable.

twoplustwo · 02-03-2009, 07:20 AM

JS' prices were their choice, not their requirement to stay afloat. They used to up the prices during the summer months to gouge the tourists, then they kept them high year round and gouged everyone.

Heath's proves that you can be small, independently owned, yet still run a place with a great selection and reasonable prices. They have great meats, a nice selection of local produce in season, and you can't beat their staff. That's why I shop there.

donnamatrix · 02-03-2009, 12:11 PM

SC
I don't come from a retail background-but was a chef/manager in Boston for longer than I care to tell, and the margins in food industry are extremely slim. I can only say that in ANY economy, businesses that depend on "walk in" trade have to be competitive, and I don't believe JS has been competitive in many, many years. I will give you an example: went to buy a small rack of lamb (twice in past couple years): price at JS was about $24, price at Hannaford in Gilford was $9.79... hello? The family that owned JS owns two markets in MA... they have been in supermarket business for more than 20 years... I think they probably have ability and purchasing power to address the cost/pricing issues. GTO: I agree that all families right now have to do what is necessary to keep their noses above water-and we're all doing it. Making a list, waiting until we perhaps need stuff at BJs and then hitting Market Basket, buying in bulk and freezing. Menu planning for crockpots, you name it-It once was that I NEVER looked at the price of anything in the market, just purhchased what I wanted. Those days are memories folks.

Mr. V · 02-03-2009, 12:32 PM

Reading this thread makes me count my blessings at having a Winco Foods nearby for shopping.

http://www.wincofoods.com/history.htm

This is a great chain of grocery stores, very large, inexpensive, good quality.

One can only hope they decide to expand to the east coast, but I doubt they will.

The key: "employee owned."

People will work harder if they have a financial stake in the operation.

VitaBene · 02-03-2009, 07:29 PM

I have noted a few comments about the staff at JS. I think I only shopped there once so I cannot comment on the workers personally.However, if they are half as good as some have noted, I am sure a store like Hannaford will welcome their skills and customer service savvy (again this is what I have heard, and read here) as valued employees. It makes sense- these are retail people who know the market.

There are three Hannaford stores within a half hour or so, I think? Meredith, Gilford (or is that Stop and Shop?) and Plymouth. These are big stores with open jobs, I would think. There will be some people that take demotions (there can only be one meat manager, etc.), but as in most businesses, the cream (in this case good workers) will soon rise to the top. Thoughts? Am I too idealistic?

twoplustwo · 02-17-2009, 06:14 AM

...maximaxine, I can commiserate as I was laid off in October and there's nothing out there. No one likes that end of the demise of JS, but it was caused by the business model the owners chose to embrace and they should be the focus of your anger.

Many years ago when I lived in Meredith, JS would jack their prices up from Memorial Day until Labor Day to take advantage of the tourists. Then they kept them jacked up year round, taking advantage of everyone. This was long before the current economic mess and any gas price issues. There is no excuse for their pricing, it was and always has been a matter of getting whatever they could out of the community. That's not 'good for the community', it was only good for JS and their bottom line.

maximaxine · 02-20-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoplustwo

...maximaxine, I can commiserate as I was laid off in October and there's nothing out there. No one likes that end of the demise of JS, but it was caused by the business model the owners chose to embrace and they should be the focus of your anger.

Many years ago when I lived in Meredith, JS would jack their prices up from Memorial Day until Labor Day to take advantage of the tourists. Then they kept them jacked up year round, taking advantage of everyone. This was long before the current economic mess and any gas price issues. There is no excuse for their pricing, it was and always has been a matter of getting whatever they could out of the community. That's not 'good for the community', it was only good for JS and their bottom line.

I guess it doesnt matter nowdoes it. like i said good luck finding a parking spot at HANNAFORDS

no-engine · 02-21-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximaxine

I guess it doesnt matter now does it. like i said good luck finding a parking spot at HANNAFORDS

THe Meredith planning board MUST re-visit the site plan.
It's miserable now; wait till May!

EricP · 02-21-2009, 11:39 AM

My wife has almost been hit twice in that lot, people have no clue how to drive when approaching the exits. This Summer I imagine there will be a lot of little accidents there with the Summer increase of traffic and people. Very poor design and planning.

no-engine · 02-21-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricP

My wife has almost been hit twice in that lot, people have no clue how to drive when approaching the exits. This Summer I imagine there will be a lot of little accidents there with the Summer increase of traffic and people. Very poor design and planning.

"THIS SUMMER"? ! I say May, if not much sooner.

The parking lot off High Street has drivers who do not follow common sense and the arrows painted for staying right and going round clockwise. I've seen hits at end of the center row, from cars going against the arrows.

EricP · 02-22-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no-engine

"THIS SUMMER"? ! I say May, if not much sooner.

The parking lot off High Street has drivers who do not follow common sense and the arrows painted for staying right and going round clockwise. I've seen hits at end of the center row, from cars going against the arrows.

I should have qualified "Summer" a bit better

I consider Summer to start as soon as I can drop in the SeaDoos, which I often do before ice out

no-engine · 02-22-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricP

I should have qualified "Summer" a bit better

I consider Summer to start as soon as I can drop in the SeaDoos, which I often do before ice out

I forget average ice out date; maybe April 20 or thereabouts.
I wrote May, but I'll agree with around ice out, when it can be real warm.

In any case, I went in to Meredith Hannaford yesterday around 4:00, with traffic issues - waiting to take left in to parking lot at florist end. Thyere are going to be real lines in that left turn queue. When I enter, I never drive towards building (too many pedestrians), but take immediate left and find space in an isle near the exit near movie theater, where it's a straight shot to that exit. I am usually headed back to Route 3 intersection.

The situation will never get better. It's sort of similar to Gilford: I hate driving "up the hill" to that Hannaford. I am glad the bank moved; I changed to them last year.

PS: I once dropped a sunfish in Lake before ice out, had a brief sail, and then packed up. Do not own the sunfish now, but also have canoed and kayaked before ice out - fun as very little other boat traffic!

gus62 · 05-14-2009, 08:33 AM

I recently heard a rumor that the Liqour Store was asked to move to the far end of the shopping center so that a new tenant could lease the current liqour store space and combine it with the Jackson Star space to make a larger store. Has anybody else heard anything in regards to who or what might be going in there?

Jmo77011 · 05-14-2009, 11:12 AM

I heard that Market Basket was looking at it...but that is just a rumor, no real info to back it up. It would be nice though!

fatlazyless · 05-14-2009, 12:17 PM

Yes, I heard the same about the liquor store moving, and Market Basket enlarging the old Star space from a local taxi cab driver about two months ago. He, by the way, absolutely-positively-absolutely despises the Meredith Hannaford and refuses to take any fares there. He will, however, takes fares to Heath's in Ctr Hbr for no additional mileage.....how 'bout that?

Like, it is all just a big "so what" what with the world's finest super market, E M Heath's, just an easy drive up to Center Harbor. Hey, check out Heath's reduced price, leftover bread, pastries, & cornbread, sandwiches, chili and bananas for low, low prices! Do they even have a poor person's, poverty food rack at Hannaford's or Market Basket?

Plus, Heath offers six flavors of Vermont coffee, as a courtesy which means for free, just so's the customers stay awake long enough to get through the checkout.

Seems relevant to roll out the 3-dancing bananas for this thread.....

!

Way Out There 2 · 05-15-2009, 06:51 AM

While at the liquor store last night I asked an employee about this and she confirmed it was true. She tyhought they would be moving sometime between bike week and the fourth of July.

no-engine · 05-15-2009, 08:09 AM

SPECULATION! a lot of it here.

Anyone think to ask the landlord?

I speculate, that being in the former drug store location, is more convenient for liquor store customers: all one level, more visible from road.
State needs to make money, and now trying to operate as business that it really is - make money, not loose.

Lakesrider · 05-15-2009, 08:25 AM

When I was there yesterday there was/were two guys in suits and clipboards walking around and looking in the windows of the old JS. I was going to stay and see what they were up to, but my other half was too fidgety and wanted to leave.

no-engine · 05-15-2009, 08:29 AM

Could have been a siding contractor, or insurance estimator!

EricP · 05-15-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no-engine

Could have been a siding contractor, or insurance estimator!

I've never seen a siding contractor wearing a suit and if I did I wouldn't hire him, he must be charging too much!

no-engine · 05-15-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricP

I've never seen a siding contractor wearing a suit and if I did I wouldn't hire him, he must be charging too much!

Ha, jokingly speculating - forgive me!

michael c · 05-16-2009, 12:02 AM

In spite of my prior postings,I have now been told that M.B. has no interest but that Vista foods , in the form of Harvest markets is interested ...but I wouldn't write that in ink just yet ...use a pencil
M

meredith weekender · 05-16-2009, 08:19 AM

Just a rumor, but I heard that the liquor store was relocating to the Hannaford Plaza. As I started with, just a rumor. This info came from a local merchant in Meredith. I guess we will all know what really is happening in about 3 to 6 months when something starts to happen.

fatlazyless · 05-16-2009, 12:11 PM

Seems like a 'no-brainer' for state liquor to move out of their existing Meredith spot next to the vacant former Star and reopen at Hannaford plaza, next to Rite Aid.

Best thing about state liquor is they always have a large supply of free, empty boxes, out front. You know, I built an entire second floor addition onto my cottage just using those state liquor empty boxes.....lol! Cheaper than lumber and just as good! Sure hope their new lease will permit them to stack all those empty boxes out front like that?

Heard state liquor is closing its' Ashland store.

02-01-2009, 09:39 AM	#1
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,915 Thanks: 338 Thanked 1,692 Times in 594 Posts	Star Market Closing Looks like DM's prediction came true.Star is closing the doors.Sign in the door announced that there would be a discount starting on monday as they sell off their inventory.I talked with the manager and everyone there will soon be out of work which is a scary thought the way the economy is.It's really sad.....it's a great store,but just overpriced due to the owners,not the management.Hate to see anyone go under.

02-01-2009, 09:59 AM	#2
twoplustwo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 456 Thanks: 51 Thanked 39 Times in 21 Posts	what a shame Corporate greed has been lining the owners' pockets for how long? Now the loyal employees will do the paying instead of the locals and the tourists. It's a harsh world out there, and I speak from experience as someone laid off in October who can't even find a p/t job. Brother, can you spare a dime (for the Lakes Region)?

02-01-2009, 10:14 AM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,807 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,027 Times in 747 Posts	At $1.89/four bagels, J-Star baked the best bagels in a different flavors; pumperknickle, plain, french toast, seesamee, onion, and cinnamon-raisin. Those J-Star bagels will be missed! Hannaford's is a division of the 2000+ food stores, owned by Belgium company Delhaize Group with stores in asia, europe, & america. Here's hoping the J-Star space becomes a dollar store like Family Dollar, or Wardo's, or a flea market with 25 different venders. Probably, it will be an empty space for three years, or something. Hannaford's-Rite Aid-Olympia Sports......el yucko....talk about a lack of independant, owner-operated stores ! ...hey...for a super-duper Super...there's the E M Heath's just up the road in Center Harbor! and, ditto that for Heath's Hardware. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-01-2009, 11:09 AM	#5
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,561 Thanks: 61 Thanked 276 Times in 194 Posts	sad for people to lose their jobs but not surprising that they lost business as many complaints have been aired for sometime. Hope that MB goes in will save a lot of gas going to Tilton __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

02-01-2009, 11:37 AM	#6
sa meredith Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 986 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 32 Thanked 352 Times in 137 Posts	too bad I am sorry to read this. Although the prices drove me crazy, I was a very regular customer this store...very convient location for us. I wish well to all the empoyees being displaced.

02-01-2009, 11:42 AM	#7
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Hate to say it like this, but as soon as Hannafords opened, those folks should have been looking for another job. Just a fact. And yes it will most likely stay empty for a while. Look at the space at the other end of that mall. It was empty for a long time as well. until the Home theater place opened up. I think they should get a Bob's store or a TGI Fridays, Applebee's in there. Or some other chain restaraunt, other than a McDonalds.

02-01-2009, 01:40 PM	#8
LakesRegionSpirit Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 188 Thanks: 7 Thanked 40 Times in 21 Posts	I am (was?) a sometimes shopper at J-star. I want to make a general comment without generalizing (if that is possible) and it is not particularly aimed at this specific closing. But, all too often I hear people lament the closing of a local, possibly higher priced, local operation. Usually they notice the closing of a local shop on their way to Wal-Mart. If we want local business to stay in business we have to patronize them. I but at Sunflowers, I know Ana, I can talk to her directly. I buy at Beans and Green's. I know Martina and I want to see a farm on my drive down Intervale Road. I go to the chain stores as a last resort. This costs me more money but I look at it as an investment in the local community which, to me, is worth something above and beyond the product I buy. How many drive by the local hardware store on their way to Lowe's to buy at a cheaper price? How many drive by the local farm stands to buy at Market Basket. You can not have it both ways. I have started a local venture that is trying to invest in local people and their talents. We may not be able to solve the world's problems, but we can certainly give a shot at dealing with our local community. So, next time you all drive by a local venture and hope that it stays in business. Do your part! Just my .02 __________________ __________________________________________ Lakes Region Spirit "Seeking the soul of the Lakes Region one story at a time" www.LakesRegionSpirit.com

02-02-2009, 12:00 PM	#10
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	I concur with KonaChick, LakesRegionSpirit you do make excellent points that I completely agree with. The only problem with your post is that I don't feel it applies to Jackson Star. These owners were just about gouging their customers. This was hardly a situation like a small business that has to charge more to make the profit margin. Your post is more aligned with Heath's and the small businesses that you mentioned. I am all for patronizing the little guy. I was a huge patron of Pier 19 in Tuftonboro even though the prices were high. Unfortunately they couldn't make it work and had to shut down for good.

02-02-2009, 01:25 PM	#11
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,175 Thanks: 207 Thanked 437 Times in 253 Posts	Choice The problem is one, as is common in rural areas, of the lack of choice. There are many levels of restaurants in the area and people make their choices as to the type of experience they want and what they are willing to pay for it. You can choose to chow down in the Mug or the Coe house. Both places have their happy clientèle. There is probably not enough business in the area to support two large markets in Meredith throughout the year. Jackson Star has had an exclusive for a while and people had no choice unless they went further out of their way to Heaths. So they put up with the higher prices but weren't happy about it. My guess is that most don't feel that they were getting more value to go along with the additional cost. Would you pay the price of the Coe House if the experience was essentially the same as the Mug? So now people have a choice and Jackson Star doesn't have enough business to keep afloat. This is the way capitalism works. Choice, competition. and consequences. Hannaford's could now raise their prices to Jackson Star's level and they might get away with it for awhile. But they would run the risk of someone coming along someday, just like they just have, and offering everyone a better choice.

02-02-2009, 02:28 PM	#13
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	Jackson Star It's sad that so many will be without work when this store closes. We frequented this store when we were at the lake during the summer, and, other than the high prices, we appreciated the clientelle, the selection and the cleanliness of the store. We were in Meredith last Saturday and stopped by Hannaford's to check it out. I don't believe they are on the same pricing schedule as the store in Nashua, my wife commented that prices seemed high. She grabbed 2 20oz bottles of Coke on the way out, but when the price came up as $1.50 each, she asked the cashier to return one. We'd love to see Market Basket take over the JS location. They seem to have the best prices around Nashua and the lake if you're willing to drive to tilton.

02-02-2009, 03:29 PM	#14
LakesRegionSpirit Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 188 Thanks: 7 Thanked 40 Times in 21 Posts	I guess the comments about wanting a Market Basket in town because their prices are lower is part of my earlier point. We all want local business to survive in theory, but when it comes to spending our own dollar, we want the cheapest prices. Well, with cheap prices, comes cheap wages; underpaid workers; lack of high end service. I , personally, do not want a Market Basket. They are not a local business. I want the Beans and Greens, The Moulton Farms, The Sunflowers, etc. where the owner is behind the counter. That is what makes the Lakes Region what it is. We need to support local economies, not national chains. Downtown Laconia is, or was, full of locally owned shops, all of which are being hit hard right now. That's because people don't shop there. But when the store fronts empty out, like Bloom's, etc. Everyone is sad that they didn't stay. It ain't magic. You want them to stay, shop there. __________________ __________________________________________ Lakes Region Spirit "Seeking the soul of the Lakes Region one story at a time" www.LakesRegionSpirit.com

02-01-2009, 04:12 PM	#17
Irish mist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 686 Thanks: 128 Thanked 85 Times in 49 Posts	Boy......that was fast ! Terrible ownership. I feel bad for the workers cause there are no jobs out there. ________ Find Headshop Last edited by Irish mist; 02-27-2011 at 11:39 PM.

02-01-2009, 09:01 PM	#18
Sunrise Point Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Meredith Center / Winnisquam Posts: 250 Thanks: 87 Thanked 34 Times in 21 Posts	I was there on Saturday and was horrified to see the sign about the closing and the sell-off. The young lady at the cash register had tears in her eyes when she talked about it. I am going to miss them. I sincerely hope that the employees are able to find jobs and get on with their lives. I have a feeling that the space will be vacant for a long while...

02-02-2009, 03:38 PM	#19
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	JS Closing not unexpected, but still sad..for employees It's true I won't miss their pricing, but the people who work at JS are really good folks and it's nasty that they will lose their jobs because the Star management has decined to modify their business strategy to be competitive. I agree with FLL, the bagels are great! I try to support our local businesses... Moulton Farm is the best no matter what-why go elsewhere? I love Chick-a-Dee station, and his prices, although twice as high on certain items, are mostly competitive. I love Aubuchon in Moultonboro and True Value in Laconia... but would dearly love a Market Basket in the JS spot. Very unsettling times for everyone.

02-02-2009, 09:37 PM	#22
Moss Creek Media Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Hampton Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think if they could have survived into the summer, they'd be ok, because with the tourists in the area, there would be plenty of shopping there (for those who don't want to deal with Meredith traffic). But, it's hard to run a business of that size for seasonal profits.

02-02-2009, 10:16 PM	#23
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,807 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,027 Times in 747 Posts	Wanna know a little secret...here's how to shop at Hannaford's and get the prices of the DeMoula's Market Basket in Tilton...just go to the Hannaford's in Plymouth. Maybe I was hallucinating, but I don't think so, the Hannaford's-Plymouth was happily a very busy store until the Super Wal-Mart opened in 2003, about one mile away and siphoned off a lot of the biz. To compete with the new Wal-Mart, which has food, the Plymouth Hannaford is priced accordingly. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-03-2009, 06:51 AM	#25
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	Jackson's Star Market story HERE is a story in this morning's Citizen with more details on the store's closing.

02-03-2009, 09:07 AM	#27
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,807 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,027 Times in 747 Posts	About two years ago, I crossed paths in the food section of the Plymouth Super Wal-Mart with a lady employee of the J-Star. Coincidentally, we were both picking out yogurt, at the same time. So's, I spoke up, and said something like: "Doesn't the Meredith Star give you an employee discount?," recognizing her as a J-Star employee. And, she replied, that while she works at J-Star, she does her food shopping at this Wal-Mart. I was a little struck by that and didn't know what to say....so there was a pause...and the brief conversation ended. How about that....how do you like them apples? No employee discount ! .................................................. ................................ By the way, the $1.75/ big 32oz, Great Value brand/ Wal-Mart / green & white label stuff is the best yogurt around.....beats the pants off Colombo or Dannon, and costs much less! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-03-2009, 12:10 PM	#29
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,680 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 355 Thanked 640 Times in 291 Posts	Once summer gets here, we're going to wish there was a grocery store where JS currently is. Traffic engineering was apparently not part of the Hannaford site plan and it will be very difficult to get in and out of that parking lot during July and August. __________________ -lg

02-03-2009, 09:41 PM	#31
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,561 Thanks: 61 Thanked 276 Times in 194 Posts	in the end they didn't focus on their customer needs( i stopped going there two years ago) and was only a matter of time tiill this happened that is when an alternative was available. Look back at prior posts and they have never to my knowledge been very positive. So whether large or small if you don't take care of your customers they will walk to the competition __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

02-04-2009, 09:50 AM	#34
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	No MB for JS Location I have been reading on this forum for years and finally got around to joining, lots of great information on this site. I wanted to post this information, because I have read multiple posts regarding wanting an MB in varius areas around the lake. You will not see a Market Basket go into the location of an existing store that has closed unless they can buy the entire strip mall that they would occupy. Market Basket only has two stores that are on property that they do not own. One on Stores st in Concord and the second is in southern NH or MA. The Demoulas family actually spends quite a bit in the area as they have a family compound on the lake. Do not ask where as I do not have exact location. jmen24

02-04-2009, 10:55 AM	#35
parrothead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Merrimack, NH Posts: 132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Store closing I'm sorry for all the employee's that lost their job in these hard times. A grocery store will be missed in that plaza come the summer time. Traffic is heavier getting out of that parking lot and through the lights now, I can't imagine how the added congestion of shoppers is going impact the traffic come summertime. Jackson Star while more expensive, was convenient when coming off the highway. I stopped there mostly to pick up items that we forgot, and not to do major shopping trips so the expensive prices were more palpable. __________________ If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane

02-03-2009, 07:20 AM	#36
twoplustwo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 456 Thanks: 51 Thanked 39 Times in 21 Posts	ditto Irish Mist JS' prices were their choice, not their requirement to stay afloat. They used to up the prices during the summer months to gouge the tourists, then they kept them high year round and gouged everyone. Heath's proves that you can be small, independently owned, yet still run a place with a great selection and reasonable prices. They have great meats, a nice selection of local produce in season, and you can't beat their staff. That's why I shop there.

02-03-2009, 12:11 PM	#37
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Response to Secondcurve & GTO SC I don't come from a retail background-but was a chef/manager in Boston for longer than I care to tell, and the margins in food industry are extremely slim. I can only say that in ANY economy, businesses that depend on "walk in" trade have to be competitive, and I don't believe JS has been competitive in many, many years. I will give you an example: went to buy a small rack of lamb (twice in past couple years): price at JS was about $24, price at Hannaford in Gilford was $9.79... hello? The family that owned JS owns two markets in MA... they have been in supermarket business for more than 20 years... I think they probably have ability and purchasing power to address the cost/pricing issues. GTO: I agree that all families right now have to do what is necessary to keep their noses above water-and we're all doing it. Making a list, waiting until we perhaps need stuff at BJs and then hitting Market Basket, buying in bulk and freezing. Menu planning for crockpots, you name it-It once was that I NEVER looked at the price of anything in the market, just purhchased what I wanted. Those days are memories folks.

02-03-2009, 12:32 PM	#38
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,416 Thanks: 65 Thanked 260 Times in 178 Posts	Reading this thread makes me count my blessings at having a Winco Foods nearby for shopping. http://www.wincofoods.com/history.htm This is a great chain of grocery stores, very large, inexpensive, good quality. One can only hope they decide to expand to the east coast, but I doubt they will. The key: "employee owned." People will work harder if they have a financial stake in the operation.

02-03-2009, 07:29 PM	#39
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,597 Thanks: 1,644 Thanked 1,642 Times in 845 Posts	Staff I have noted a few comments about the staff at JS. I think I only shopped there once so I cannot comment on the workers personally.However, if they are half as good as some have noted, I am sure a store like Hannaford will welcome their skills and customer service savvy (again this is what I have heard, and read here) as valued employees. It makes sense- these are retail people who know the market. There are three Hannaford stores within a half hour or so, I think? Meredith, Gilford (or is that Stop and Shop?) and Plymouth. These are big stores with open jobs, I would think. There will be some people that take demotions (there can only be one meat manager, etc.), but as in most businesses, the cream (in this case good workers) will soon rise to the top. Thoughts? Am I too idealistic?

02-17-2009, 06:14 AM	#40
twoplustwo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 456 Thanks: 51 Thanked 39 Times in 21 Posts	losing a job stinks... ...maximaxine, I can commiserate as I was laid off in October and there's nothing out there. No one likes that end of the demise of JS, but it was caused by the business model the owners chose to embrace and they should be the focus of your anger. Many years ago when I lived in Meredith, JS would jack their prices up from Memorial Day until Labor Day to take advantage of the tourists. Then they kept them jacked up year round, taking advantage of everyone. This was long before the current economic mess and any gas price issues. There is no excuse for their pricing, it was and always has been a matter of getting whatever they could out of the community. That's not 'good for the community', it was only good for JS and their bottom line.

02-21-2009, 11:39 AM	#43
EricP Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 329 Thanks: 28 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	My wife has almost been hit twice in that lot, people have no clue how to drive when approaching the exits. This Summer I imagine there will be a lot of little accidents there with the Summer increase of traffic and people. Very poor design and planning.

05-14-2009, 08:33 AM	#47
gus62 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 82 Thanks: 1 Thanked 70 Times in 18 Posts	New Tenant going where Jackson Star was????? I recently heard a rumor that the Liqour Store was asked to move to the far end of the shopping center so that a new tenant could lease the current liqour store space and combine it with the Jackson Star space to make a larger store. Has anybody else heard anything in regards to who or what might be going in there?

05-14-2009, 11:12 AM	#48
Jmo77011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 86 Thanks: 60 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts	Market Basket? I heard that Market Basket was looking at it...but that is just a rumor, no real info to back it up. It would be nice though!

05-14-2009, 12:17 PM	#49
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,807 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,027 Times in 747 Posts	Yes, I heard the same about the liquor store moving, and Market Basket enlarging the old Star space from a local taxi cab driver about two months ago. He, by the way, absolutely-positively-absolutely despises the Meredith Hannaford and refuses to take any fares there. He will, however, takes fares to Heath's in Ctr Hbr for no additional mileage.....how 'bout that? Like, it is all just a big "so what" what with the world's finest super market, E M Heath's, just an easy drive up to Center Harbor. Hey, check out Heath's reduced price, leftover bread, pastries, & cornbread, sandwiches, chili and bananas for low, low prices! Do they even have a poor person's, poverty food rack at Hannaford's or Market Basket? Plus, Heath offers six flavors of Vermont coffee, as a courtesy which means for free, just so's the customers stay awake long enough to get through the checkout. Seems relevant to roll out the 3-dancing bananas for this thread..... ! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake! Last edited by fatlazyless; 05-17-2009 at 07:28 PM.

05-15-2009, 06:51 AM	#50
Way Out There 2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Meredith Posts: 65 Thanks: 2 Thanked 37 Times in 8 Posts	While at the liquor store last night I asked an employee about this and she confirmed it was true. She tyhought they would be moving sometime between bike week and the fourth of July.

05-15-2009, 08:09 AM	#51
no-engine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West side Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region Posts: 516 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 40 Posts	SPECULATION! a lot of it here. Anyone think to ask the landlord? I speculate, that being in the former drug store location, is more convenient for liquor store customers: all one level, more visible from road. State needs to make money, and now trying to operate as business that it really is - make money, not loose.

05-15-2009, 08:25 AM	#52
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	When I was there yesterday there was/were two guys in suits and clipboards walking around and looking in the windows of the old JS. I was going to stay and see what they were up to, but my other half was too fidgety and wanted to leave.

05-15-2009, 08:29 AM	#53
no-engine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West side Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region Posts: 516 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 40 Posts	Could have been a siding contractor, or insurance estimator!