Business Spotlight

Few Parking Spots, Lots of Cheer as Market Basket Opens its Doors to Bedford

Thousands turn out for grand opening of 78,500 sq. ft. supermarket.

The official ribbon cutting was scheduled for 9 a.m., yet eager shoppers were already trickling into the store hours before the ceremony . Tom O'Loughlin, general manager at Bedford's new Market Basket, located at 539 Donald Street, said customers were finding their way inside as many of the employees were showing up around 6:30/7 a.m. And while parking outside was often difficult, at points impossible, the 78,500 sq. ft. store was well-staffed, the check-out lines moved swiftly and the hundreds of customers in the store at any given time were greeted with friendly and efficient service. Watch the video above for more on this morning's grand opening. Follow Bedford Patch on our Facebook page, Twitter feed, and be the first to know when …

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Business Spotlight

An Early Look Inside Bedford's Market Basket

General manager of new supermarket says Bedford residents won't be disappointed with store's offerings.

Tom O'Loughlin is a longtime Bedford resident. Now, he's opening a Market Basket in his own backyard. As general manager, the 34-year DeMoulas employee said he couldn't be more excited to see the 78,500 square foot super-duper market open its doors to the Bedford public, especially after multiple delays due to the long winter. Watch the video above for a full look inside the store including a detailed glance at many of its unique amenities. Follow Bedford Patch on our Facebook page, Twitter feed, and be the first to know when news breaks by signing up for our FREE daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

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You Ask, Patch Answers

Market Basket Sets Firm Opening Date in Bedford

When will the 78,500 sq. ft. store celebrate its grand opening?

Bedford Patch has been inundated with inquiries as to when Bedford's newest grocery store will open its doors. Last week, we published an update, informing you, the Bedford public, that Market Basket will open in early May, once area roadwork is complete. Wednesday, we were contacted by David McLean, operations manager at Demoulas Supermarkets, Inc., and informed that the 78,500 sq. ft. mega store – located at 539 Donald Street (off Route 114) – will celebrate its grand opening one week from today, on Thursday, May 9. McLean said the store and staff are ready to go and excited to offer Bedford value-priced shopping with more perks and amenities than a typical grocery store. Like the new Manchester location, Bedford's branch offers expanded…

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Ryan O'Connor

2:17 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013

Hey, Robert. It's in the photo and on the map, but you're right, I should have included 539 Donald Street in the article as well. Thank you for pointing out the omission. -Ryan   more ›

You Ask, Patch Answers

When is Market Basket Opening in Bedford?

'Everyone's eager to go,' says DeMoulas executive.

If all goes as planned, the Bedford Market Basket will open its doors to the public in early May. David McLean, operations manager at Demoulas Supermarkets, Inc. confirmed to Bedford Patch that the store and most of its staff are ready to begin operations. The lone holdup, he said, is roadwork in the area of Route 114, New Boston Road and Donald Street. "As quick as that finishes, we are anticipating to open," said McLean. "In terms of the store, everything is ready. Everyone's eager to go." Though an official date has yet to be set, McLean said he's confident in "the early May time frame." "It was a tough winter," he said. "If this past winter was more like last the year before – in terms of weather and snow accumulations – we'd probably …

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Apljak

4:14 am on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Jonathan, I am not sure if you are from the area or not, but Market Basket is not a locally owned business. The family is from MA, although some of the owners have vacation residences in NH if that makes you feel any better.   more ›

Market Basket Donates $25K to Village Common

Bandstand naming rights given to grocer for next five years.

Representatives from Market Basket gathered Tuesday afternoon under the new bandstand at the soon-to-be completed Bedford Village Common and presented a $25,000 check to Beverly Thomas, chair of the Bedford Village Common Development Committee (BVCDC). The donation will be used to offset expenses to build the common and bandstand. In exchange, the popular New England grocer will be provided with the bandstand naming rights. Joining Thomas at the ceremony, under the new "Market Basket Bandstand" were Bedford Town Manager Jessie Levine and Town Council Chairman Bill Dermody, Market Basket Operations Manager David McLean and Market Basket Consultant and Jim Lamp, an engineer for J and Co., who serves as a consultant to Market Basket. A 75,000…

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Bedford Mom's Purse Stolen from Market Basket

Man was suppose to bring purse into store before taking off in a white pickup truck.

Where Do You Do Your Food Shopping?

Bedford now has five grocers and a sixth on its way. Where do you prefer to shop?

Bedford Town Council Backs Market Basket

Hannaford's request for rehearing on zoning article 2 denied.

Two weeks ago, attorneys for Hannaford Bros. attended a Bedford Town Council meeting and requested a rehearing on Zoning Amendment 2, which was passed with a 77-percent approval during March 13's Bedford Town Elections. Last night, councilors unanimously denied that request. The article in question allows for Market Basket to build a 78,500 sq. ft. facility on Donald Street, just off Route 114. The size of the new structure will be more than twice the size of the 36,000 sq. ft. Hannaford, at the intersection of Jenkins Road, roughly 3.8 miles from the Market Basket site. Vice Chairman Chris Bandazian, who led a subcommittee that included fellow councilors Jim Scanlon and William Jean, explained the group found no standing for the request …

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Council to Rule on Supermarket Tussle Tonight

Hannaford officials attempting to block larger Market Basket.

On March 13, Bedford voters approved Zoning Article 2 on the Bedford Town Ballot by a 77-percent margin. The article, which essentially allows Market Basket to open a 78,000 sq. ft. supermarket on Donald Street, off Route 114, states, in part, the following: This amendment is intended to create a new zoning district title Commercial-2 and rezone the three lots that make up the current Commercial Zone located at the intersection of Route 114 and Donald Street Extension to be Commercial-2. Creating the Commercial-2 district will provide flexibility for commercial developments with building footprints in excess of 40,000 square feet to be located in a portion of town other than the Performance Zone. The complete text of the 3-page amendment …

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Photo of the Week

Neighborhood Gallery: Photo of the Week

Thanks to Randy Barnhart for this week's photo.

Randy Barnhart submitted this week's Bedford Patch Neighborhood Gallery Photo of the Week. The photo was taken near Bedford Golfland, which was recently demolished at the location of the new Market Basket near the intersection of Route 114, Donald Street and New Boston Road. Want more information? Click the photo for a detailed description or ask Randy in for additional details in the comment section below. Submit your unique or interesting Bedford photos with ease through our Neighborhood Gallery and check back weekly for our Photo of the Week.

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