On October 22 and 23, Co-op General Manager John Williams gave tours of the former Wilson’s Department Store building to two tours of local, state, and federal officials followed by a conversation in our community room at 170 Main St. about the Green Fields Market Relocation and Expansion Project.
Visitors included Mark-Antonio Williams, Regional Director for Senator Warren; Scott Soares, USDA Rural Development State Director for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut; Max Neiberg and Anistyn Grant of the USDA; Pierre Joseph, Guymanie Joseph, and Colleen Dawicki of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; Michelle Schutt, president of Greenfield Community College; Jessye Deane, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce; John Waite, executive director of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation; Mark Maloni, communications manager for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Judy Raper, associate dean of community engagement at Greenfield Community College; and Erin Anhalt, chief of staff, Matt Conway, communications director, and Wid Perry, city councilor, all from the city of Greenfield. The groups joined Franklin Community Co-op General Manager John Williams, Co-op staff and board members, and local farmer Erik Debbink of Lombrico Farm for the tours.
Conversations continued to emphasize the importance of the project to the local economy, including how it will help revive Greenfield’s downtown by transforming an historic landmark building — the former Wilson’s Department Store, which covers nearly an entire city block — from a derelict building which closed in 2019 to a thriving, full-service grocery store welcoming all into the center of Greenfield. The new store is due to open in 2026.
“Green Fields Market grocery store will serve as the hub for a robust and bustling downtown in the central core of Greenfield’s business district, which is currently considered a ‘slum and blight community’ by the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Opening the store in 2026 will spur the economy of Greenfield and support the growth and development of other local businesses downtown,” said Williams.
As downtown’s anchor store, Green Fields Market attracts people seven days a week, 362 days a year, and many of those people also eat in downtown’s restaurants and shop in its stores. Current sales are $11.5 million, with 30% locally grown and produced, but these figures will increase significantly with the expansion; the move will double sales and grow the Co-op’s important support for the significant local farm economy as well as local food access. In addition, Green Fields Market will create and retain 120 jobs in Greenfield.
The project enjoys enthusiastic support from federal, state and local leaders including Congressman McGovern, Senators Markey and Warren, State Senator Comerford, State Representatives Blais and Whipps and Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher. The relocated, expanded, modern market and the resulting increased foot traffic in downtown will bolster existing businesses, including the arts organizations and venues that often struggle to survive, while also providing an important economic development tool for attracting new businesses.
The significance of the project to Franklin County, one of the poorest counties in the state and the most rural, is difficult to overstate. This project will transform Greenfield’s downtown and bolster the connection between local farms and Franklin County residents.