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By MATTHEW STONE
Staff Writer 01/17/2008

enlarge Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Mr. Market owner Daren Hachey will be selling his family's independent grocery market in Winthrop to Hannaford Brothers

enlarge Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Mr. Market in Winthrop

enlarge Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Hannaford will be building a new grocery store in Winthrop. The company will be buying the Market Market that they've been stocking for about ten years.

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Owner Daren Hachey confirmed the deal Wednesday, saying it was the result of months of "collaboration." He declined to disclose the sale price.

"It's a situation where Hannaford and myself believe that the town could be serviced by a larger store with more offerings for the customers," Hachey said, noting Hannaford plans to include a pharmacy and new organic food offerings at the Winthrop store.

As Hannaford looks to gain approvals for new stores in Augusta and South China, the chain has found a way to expand into Winthrop using an existing relationship. The company plans to raze the store and construct a 36,000-square-foot supermarket behind it.

Hachey said he was confident Hannaford, which has been Mister Market's supplier since 1999, would hire the majority of his 80 staff members. An official at Hannaford could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Mister Market employees -- a mixed group ranging from teenagers working their first, part-time jobs to seasoned, full-time staffers -- can interview for positions at the Hannaford store, but are not guaranteed employment, Hachey said.

"It's a company that has the same values," Hachey said. He said he expects from Hannaford the "same willingness to hire young people for their first jobs, some retired people and everyone in between."

The purchase is contingent on the company's ability to secure all the necessary permits to construct a new store, including a conditional-use permit from the Planning Board and a standard building permit, Code Enforcement Officer Beth Young said.

While the company has yet to apply for the permits, town and company officials have begun talking.

Young said she expects Hannaford's proposal to meet fewer hurdles than its proposals in South China or Augusta.

Hannaford's proposal to build a 36,000-square-foot store and adjoining retail building in South China has sparked community concern over traffic flow and environmental impact. In Augusta, descendants of Daniel Cony have raised legal objections to the city's sale of 6 acres of former Cony High School property to allow construction.

"I don't forsee any problems with them getting their approval as long as they meet all state and local requirements," Young said.

Hachey said he will continue to own and operate Mister Market for 18 to 24 months as Hannaford secures the necessary permits and builds the new store.

In a statement, the company said it expected to begin construction in the fall.

"That's a pretty aggressive plan, but they've certainly done enough of these projects," Town Manager Cornell Knight said. "I'll assume they can beat that."

In interviews yesterday, customers and employees offered mixed reactions to the news. Most seemed to agree that some form of change was needed to satisfy a growing community.

"It'll be kind of a change of heart around here," Winthrop High School football coach Joel Stoneton said yesterday while shopping, noting Mister Market's past support of high school athletics. "I hope not, but we'll see what happens."

"That's how it goes. That's life. Things change," he added.

Employee Devon French said she was shocked by the news when she opened her most recent paycheck and read the accompanying letter from Hachey announcing the sale.

She said she worries about Hannaford's commitment to hiring teenage employees.

"Mister Market gave them a chance," French said. "I don't know if Hannaford is going to be as flexible."

French said she is unsure whether she'll apply to work in the new store. General Manager Gib Richardson said he plans on applying.

"Mister Market has always been a very close-knit group," he said. "We've always worked together, and I'm sure (Hannaford employees) do, as well."

Customer Ann Cooper said she was sad to see "a big corporate store" replace Mister Market.

Phyllis Powell, another customer, said a new store could broaden the product selection for customers. "I think a larger store might bring more items, probably also bring more traffic," she said.

Hachey called the decision to sell "difficult."

"Certainly, the employees are the ones who have made my decision most difficult," Hachey said. He said he considered building an expanded Mister Market before agreeing to the deal with Hannaford.

Hachey said he bought the business in 2000 from his parents, Ron and Bette Hachey, who still own the land.

Under terms of the deal, Hannaford will lease the land from the Hacheys, Daren Hachey said.

Matthew Stone -- 621-3811, Ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com

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