Grocery Outlet opened its first store in the Carroll County, Maryland, marketplace on Nov. 16.
This marks Grocery Outlet’s sixth location in the state, joining stores in Catonsville, Edgewood, Glen Burnie, Hagerstown and Salisbury.
Independent owners and operators Gregory and Amber Phelps signed a lease with Continental Realty Corporation for 22,069 square feet of space within Freedom Village, a neighborhood shopping center at 6300 Georgetown Blvd. in Eldersburg, Maryland.
Amber Phelps explained that, with her husband Greg having experience in the food and grocery industries, this represented the ideal opportunity for the couple to become involved with a national brand.
“As owners rather than managers, we have total control on all decision-making and, in essence, can control our own destiny,” Phelps explained.
“Freedom Village is the perfect venue for the Grocery Outlet concept, given the presence of Goodwill Industries. Many consumers that shop at the center bring a value-oriented approach, and we will fit right in and, together, serve the needs of the local community.”
Based in Emeryville, California, part of the Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. and founded by Jim Reed in 1946, Grocery Outlet stores contain sections for fresh meat, fruits, vegetables and frozen foods, together with a deli and vegan food area, stocked with brand name product offerings.
“Grocery stores typically bring customers to a shopping center one or more times weekly and attract repeat shoppers. This will benefit the other stores in the center as consumers take advantage of one-stop shopping to complete errands,” stated Kristina O’Keefe, Continental Realty Corporation’s VP of commercial division.
“When shopping for food and staple items, consumers weigh key factors such as convenience, product quality and pricing, and Grocery Outlet represents a proven and highly differentiated concept that will add something unique to the Eldersburg grocery experience.”
Read more corporate chain store news from The Shelby Report.
