Hannaford
Opened: 2004
Opened: 2004
Closing: September 2025
There are only 16 Hannaford locations in Massachusetts, and the state is about to lose one. Of course, Hannaford is owned by Ahold Delhaize, a Dutch supermarket group that also owns Stop & Shop (which has 117 stores in the state). A local news outlet reports that the Marlborough, MA location -- between Worcester and Framingham -- is set to close by September of this year.
The 52,000 square foot store opened in the late 1990s as a Victory Market, becoming Hannaford in 2004. Hannaford appears to have remodeled the store once during their time owning the place, but it hasn't gotten the latest decor package. It's possible the store moved from an older location in the strip mall to the left of the supermarket, which is older than the supermarket building.
Despite the fact that the store hasn't been recently remodeled and is set to close, it's still looking pretty great. You enter to the grand aisle on the left side, with produce in the front part and deli/prepared foods behind it. Seafood and butcher are at the back, with meat and dairy lining the back wall. Frozen and dairy are on the right side with bakery in the front-right corner. Pharmacy is in the first aisle with HABA opposite, and natural foods behind that.
We're still several months away from the store's closure, but even so, it's looking great. Clearly it's been maintained exceptionally well over the years.
A rumor circulating on Facebook, which I can't confirm myself, says that Shaw's has already signed on to occupy the space once Hannaford leaves. It's possible the closure isn't related to store performance but just to losing the lease. Still, the store felt a bit sleepy when I visited around noon on a Sunday -- not a great sign.
Shaw's has been really aggressive on remodeling lately, and overall has significantly stepped up their operations. They've always been a bit of the forgotten stepchild within Albertsons (along with sister chain Star Market) but lately have been getting more attention. More on that here. So it's only logical that they'd also be looking for new opportunities to open stores. Incidentally, other than conversions from Star Market, two of which happened recently, I believe the most recent Shaw's to open was also in a former Hannaford. (Am I forgetting any?)
The only sign this Hannaford might be struggling was that part of the service butcher counter had been closed. There's still a service butcher, and they're still cutting meat in-store, but it's been downsized.
A few short aisles of natural foods run side-to-side behind the pharmacy/HABA area, with small refrigerated and frozen sections alongside.
I know this trend has fallen out of favor, and with good reason -- it's a significant inconvenience to have to shop in two different places for the same products -- but it's always nice to see a well-executed natural foods department.
Pharmacy and HABA in the front half of the first few aisles.
If Shaw's or another operator does move in, there's not a whole lot of work that'll need to be done. Overall, the store is in really good shape, and other than cosmetic changes it's pretty much ready for someone new. The funky flooring probably has to go, though.
With a coat of paint on the walls and some of the refrigeration, you're pretty much ready to go. For a store that's soon to close, this one is in excellent shape.
Old-school freezer cases, though, which might have to be replaced.
Frozen foods are in the last two aisles along with dairy, which is split between the back wall and the last aisle. Bread and bakery are in the front-right corner.
Here's a look across the front end. Customer service is in an island on the front-end opposite pharmacy.
This is a very nice store and although it seems fairly low-volume, it wouldn't be hard to bring up sales here. It's in a good location on route 20, between downtown Northborough and Marlborough, and close to any number of major highways. Marlborough also has a Market 32, but that's on the other side of town. With a population of over 40,000, there's definitely room in Marlborough for another conventional supermarket. We'll just have to wait and see if the Shaw's rumor is true.
Owner: Ahold Delhaize
Previous Tenants: Victory Markets (late 90s-2004)
Cooperative: none
Location: 193 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA
Photographed: March 9, 2025
Here's a look at this weekend's other posts!
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