Fresh Market... Opinions So Far?

[Anonymous]

If you've been to the new FM in the old WF location in Congressional Plaza in Rockville, what do you think? It seems to me the food is not bad but of lesser quality than WF, yet the prices are just the same or higher. And what is with the cashiers all acting like they just came from a funeral? Would an errant smile crack their faces in half? Just surprised and wondering if anyone else thinks this place just ain't gonna make it past one year?

[Anonymous]

I find that they don't have many of the products I used to purchase at WF so I don't go anymore. I was there last week and they didn't even have English Muffins. I doubt it'll last with a WF down the street and a Bloom up the Pike.

[Anonymous]

Have not been yet, but live the one in Ct. I am glad to know this one us finally. Open, and I am eager to try it. They also have some items that WF and Bloom do not.

[Anonymous]

Excuse above typos

[Anonymous]

It's really nice but very expensive, and without a less expensive brand like WF's 365. For that reason i'd rather go to WF down the road. But wow, they had an amazing candy section!!!

[Anonymous]

I don't get the point of that store. I would never go back there.

[Anonymous]

I think I would visit it again if I was entertaining..but don't see myself going there regularly. I think I read the Bloom is closing or changing to the "Bottom Dollar" version of the store which is more focused on value. There is also the still unknown of Dawsons Market opening in Rockville Center at some point.

[Anonymous]

I've been to the new one in Vienna, and it seems like they have the same quality of food as Giant across the street but less selection. I didn't really check out their produce or meat counters though. I liked the coffee and the candy though. The fresh deli selection was boring and they have limited gluten free stuff, unlike Whole Foods.

[Anonymous]

The point of a Fresh Market is not an everyday grocery store like WF is for some people (not me -- too expensive; but for some people). FM has nice prepared foods (I personally think WF prepared foods suck and are either completely tasteless or loaded with salt and oil) and a great selection of meats, seafoods and desserts. I have gotten different cuts of meat there and the quality is great. The butcher will cut you whatever you need right there. I also think they have a decent produce selection. But PPs are right that they lack for certain "everyday" things. If I happen to need milk while I'm picking up other things there and I'm at Congressional Plaza anyway then, no problem. But it's certainly not the place where I can get a full list done.

[Anonymous]

I was not impressed by the quality of the food--the ingredients in the prepared foods scared me off. The produce prices seemed high. The staff was awful and the lines were insanely long.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't happy with it either! I bought vegetables there that were pretty rotten the very next day.

Also I had to take my 4 year old to the bathroom and the sink was hard to work, even for me. Not impressed.

BTW the Bloom is now a Food Lion. Looks exactly the same inside.

[Anonymous]

I tried to do my weekly shopping there a few weeks ago because I was already at REI and it was sunday evening and I hadn't been to the supermarket yet. FWIW, I do most of my shopping at Sniders, Giant and/or Trader Joes, and only go to WF for fish or special produce. That being said, I left Fresh Market feeling extremely underwhelmed and will probably never go back there unless, as a PP said, I'm in Congressional for another reason and need just some milk or something. I thought the prices were OUTRAGEOUSLY high. Outrageous. I kept putting certain things I needed back on the shelf b/c I could not believe what they were charging, and I'm not exactly a bargain shopper. I also found the selection for certain things, like yogurt, to be really lacking. I can see what others said about the impressive candy selection but I don't buy candy normally so that certainly won't bring me back. All in all, not impressed.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I'm nuts, but I think the prices at the one in Vienna are comparable to what you pay elsewhere. It's definitely not a grocery store where you can buy everything you need (nor is it trying to be), but it's very close to our house, and I've enjoyed the prepared foods, bakery, cheeses, etc.

[Anonymous]

I went in once to see what it was. I was not impressed with the selection or prices OR the rows of candy when you walk in the door. I won't be going back. I suspect this chain will be gone in a year or two at most. I simply cannot see how it will survive here.

[Anonymous]

I am a poster who wrote another post about fresh market. I was totally turned off by the prepared foods! The ingredients looked worse than Mickey d's! I agree that sometimes wf prepared foods are bland but at least you know they don't churn out yucky processed crap. And I too thought they needed to lessen the prices.