1. On a crisp North Carolina spring day, back in
1982, a new kind of grocery store was created.
The founders took their life savings and put it all
into their dream: a fresh take on grocery
shopping. The idea was to develop a better
grocery store that brought back the feeling of
open European-style markets. Bring back the old-
world charm of the market and on March 5, they
opened The Fresh Market for business.
Right away you could tell this store, and the
shopping experience, was different. Fresh cut
flowers, fresh cut meats, fresh produce… even
free samples of fresh brewed coffee. It was a
drastic change from the over-commercialized,
impersonal warehouse stores of the time. The Fresh Market was warm and inviting. The space
was small, but filled with bulk items, rustic decorations, and an open-air feel that just made The
Fresh Market feel like the general store of yesteryear, right down to the friendly face running the
store. Every employee knew most every customer by name and by order.
In over 30 years not much has changed. The Fresh Market
still plays classical music, still supports local growers and
charities, and each employee gives a warm greeting and great
assistance. The only thing that has changed? The number of
The Fresh Markets.
The company operates 160 stores in 25 states, located in the
Southeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and West with
plans for continued expansion throughout the country.