Grocery store in Rockport (Gloucester: sale, oceanfront, purchasing)

[rutheye]

I am interested in starting a grocery store in Rockport. Wondering what the interest amongst the locals is.

Any feedback would be appreciated. specifically, what do you want in a local grocer in rockport? organic? healthy? convenience? sandwiches/deli?

thanks!

[in_newengland]

There are already Market Basket and Shaws in nearby Gloucester. A natural foods store. Rumors of a Wegmans. Does Rockport really need a grocery store?

[luvmyhoss]

Yes it does. I think a deli, convenience store would do well.

[goyguy]

It doesn't bode well for a prospective food store owner that the local IGA closed down within the past year. Although 'twould seem that this would mean a niche needs to be filled, Rockport residents (not that I've spoken with dozens) were elated to have Market Basket arrive in Gloucester. Rockport Market on Broadway and the "Cumbie's" on Railroad Ave seem to adequately take care of the convenience-store end of things.

However! If one were to go high-end (while including plenty of affordable merchandise) there might be a way to make it work. Convenience stores are notorious for selling nothing with significant nutritional value, save for some fruit. So a store largely or even exclusively devoted to produce and healthy snacks - not always an oxymoron - could be viable. Throw in a "free trade" deli/coffee shop and the odds improve. Locating a business in Rockport brings with it two significant drawbacks right from the start. One is that strong "blue laws" are still in effect, preventing the sale of any kind of liquor except along with meals in restaurants. Every supermarket that's allowed to stocks a large selection of wine and beer. It's no accident that they're all in Gloucester. Folks are not going to make an entirely separate trip for purchasing alcohol if they can help it. And, it's questionable whether or not enough people in the market for this kind of a market dwell within the town's boundaries or close by. Rockport is a tourist magnet and has numerous residents who are affluent as well as predisposed to such a retailer. But the numbers relative to the overall population aren't all that large and are reduced by a fair amount during the colder months. (The head count for the town hovers around 6,000 - hardly a teeming metropolis.) The OP should take an in-depth walking/driving tour through the entire town rather than just along the oceanfront streets and major arteries to see what I mean.

[luvmyhoss]

Originally Posted by goyguy

It doesn't bode well for a prospective food store owner that the local IGA closed down within the past year. Although 'twould seem that this would mean a niche needs to be filled, Rockport residents (not that I've spoken with dozens) were elated to have Market Basket arrive in Gloucester. Rockport Market on Broadway and the "Cumbie's" on Railroad Ave seem to adequately take care of the convenience-store end of things.

However! If one were to go high-end (while including plenty of affordable merchandise) there might be a way to make it work. Convenience stores are notorious for selling nothing with significant nutritional value, save for some fruit. So a store largely or even exclusively devoted to produce and healthy snacks - not always an oxymoron - could be viable. Throw in a "free trade" deli/coffee shop and the odds improve. Locating a business in Rockport brings with it two significant drawbacks right from the start. One is that strong "blue laws" are still in effect, preventing the sale of any kind of liquor except along with meals in restaurants. Every supermarket that's allowed to stocks a large selection of wine and beer. It's no accident that they're all in Gloucester. Folks are not going to make an entirely separate trip for purchasing alcohol if they can help it. And, it's questionable whether or not enough people in the market for this kind of a market dwell within the town's boundaries or close by. Rockport is a tourist magnet and has numerous residents who are affluent as well as predisposed to such a retailer. But the numbers relative to the overall population aren't all that large and are reduced by a fair amount during the colder months. (The head count for the town hovers around 6,000 - hardly a teeming metropolis.) The OP should take an in-depth walking/driving tour through the entire town rather than just along the oceanfront streets and major arteries to see what I mean.

I agree. Most of your money would have to be made in the tourist season.