Where can you find packaged venison, fresh vegetables and imported Italian pastas, among other staples? In Richmond, a small town where, until recently, a Stop & Shop Supermarket was the only grocery option.
Richmond Farms Fresh Market opened in April, on the Friday before Easter Sunday, when Stop & Shop employees were striking, recalled owner Chris Menta, the principal of Menta Brokerage Inc.
“It was insane. We had three police officers directing traffic,” he said.
Menta, who lived in the town for 10 years, said he bought the site, a former liquor store, when he realized it was for sale. He had always thought the town needed more grocery choices. “You know what?” he said he thought at the time. “I’m going to open that store and I’m going to give people an option to shop.”
Richmond Farms covers just 1,900 square feet. In that footprint, it carries hard-to-find game meats, such as venison, elk and buffalo, as well as popular Italian specialties. Breads, pantry provisions, snacks and fruit pies are also on hand.
The selection changes regularly. Menta, who used to own a food wholesale business in Boston, sources much of his foods from his longtime contacts. That means that sometimes, he won’t sell what people might expect.
“I’m not going to carry strawberries just to have strawberries. If they don’t taste good, I won’t carry them,” he said.
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Macdonald@PBN.com.
