Business & Tech
As Grand Opening Nears, Harvest Fare Looks to Make its own Name
JIm Streett thinks his second store can compete with other local grocers and the Walmart up the street.
Jim Streett laughs when he scoffs at the Walmart just up Belair Road, and other local grocers that will serve as competition to his store. But he is serious about operating the premiere supermarket in Harford County.
The owner of Baltimore’s Harvest Fare is opening his second location, in Fallston, March 23. But there are still reminders of the business that long-occupied the same building; “FALLSTON ACME IS CLOSED THANK YOU” reads an 8 1/2-by-11-inch sign on the front door. Just inside hangs a vintage clock accompanied by the message, “Thank You for Shopping ACME.” Then there are the cash registers that will be replaced, even the self-serve ones.
“He doesn’t like them,” store manager Bill Keen said of his new boss.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
Keen and about 20 other employees may be the only reminder Streett keeps from the SuperValu Inc.-owned chain grocer that closed in February.
Keen has worked in retail grocery for 18 years, spending time in 17 ACME stores, including the Fallston location before it closed. This, however, will be his first grand opening as manager.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
“ACME’s corporate and Harvest Fare’s independent, and that’s a monstrous difference,” he said. “It was just an opportunity to do things how I’d like to do them and run my store how I want it to be run.”
Streett plans to make the grand opening a community event.
“We’re going for excitement, not just profit,” he said.
A March 22 family and friends pre-opening will include a DJ and a performance by the . The next day Streett hopes to set up a searchlight and a Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company truck.
“I’m trying to work with the community,” he said. “I’m a community-minded guy.”
Streett says the deli, seafood and bakery departments will be his strength, having just hired a baker from Yia Yia’s in Rosedale. The owner says he will hire 50 to 60 people, about 20 of them former ACME employees.
“Our fresh departments and customer service is what they’re going to come here for,” Keen said. “And, of course, the pricing.”
