SHREWSBURY – When John and Mona Grande decided to retire and close their “mom-and-pop” food market in 2015, it marked the end of an era in Shrewsbury. Throughout the history of the town, there were a number of small, family-owned “corner stores” at any given time.
Some of these that readers might remember include the Lake Shore Market (Known by many as “Joe White’s”), Cowan’s Market, and Doiron’s Market – all on South Quinsigamond Avenue. There was also Longo’s Market at the corner of Harrington Avenue and Muzzy Avenue. Others that have been gone for many years operated out of the owner’s home; some of these included Rossi’s, Flint’s, and Kimball’s.
Eventually, chain-type markets took over: Shaw’s, Price Chopper, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and until just recently, Stop and Shop…