EATON — Less than two years after taking it on, Fresh Encounter Inc., management company of Needler’s Fresh Market, announced last week it will be closing the Eaton Needler’s Fresh Market located at 223 Aukerman St in Eaton, at the end of March.
“While we seek and relish opportunities for calculated, favorable growth, we must at times make some of the more difficult decisions for the success of the company as a whole,” states Michael Needler Jr., President and CEO.
“Unfortunately, these decisions at times include closing stores that are in an unprofitable mode with limited or no viability for the longer term. However, this change will allow us to continue to deliver on our promise of providing the consumer a local, neighborhood grocery with exceptional service at our other locations,” Needler Jr. added.
Needler’s Fresh Market operates 10 other store locations in Ohio and Indiana.
“Know that we will work respectfully with the impacted associates in the days ahead to ensure as smooth a transition as possible, with some opportunities available in our other store locations,” Needler said in a press release. “We will continue to remain steadfast to our mission of delighting our customers, nourishing communities and inspiring pride in our team.”
Family owned and operated since 1995, Fresh Encounter, Inc. currently manages 50 retail locations in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
The Findlay based company entered into an agreement in June 2017, to manage 15 Marsh Supermarkets on behalf of Generative Growth II LLC, a privately held company also based in Findlay, whose acquisition of the locations, including the Eaton store, took place June 22, 2017, when Marsh filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in May of that year after closing 19 stores.
