Will Jackson Star go away? Please

[donnamatrix]

Certainly since Hannaford has opened the lack of business at the Jackson Star is quite noticeable. I was there the other morning to get some bagels for the office and the place was EMPTY, except for those folks who work there. I am pretty sure Hannaford will keep their prices even until JS is broken completely. I would like to see Market Basket go into that strip mall. Does anyone know what the future might hold for that location?

[Moss Creek Media]

I just stopped by Jackson Star tonight, to grab some rolls (making pulled pork tomorrow and forgot rolls, oops) They were closed! It was 8:25pm. They closed at 8:00pm, new hours. Guess they are hurting.

So then I had to drive ALL THE WAY across town to Hannaford :)

Kirk

[SAMIAM]

I feel bad for them because the staff is very nice.The store is clean and well run.The problem is....the greedy out of state owners who have always kept prices 20% to 80% higher than the other chain stores,knowing they had a captive clientele.Picked up baby back ribs one day and paid $5.99lb......couple of days later I happened to be in Shaws in Laconia and the same brand was $2.99.
Guess the owners made a ton of money for many years and now nobody feels sorry for them.

[sa meredith]

While I agree with everything written here, and the prices there (JS) drive me friggen crazy when doing a lot of shopping (company coming, or staying at camp for a 5 or 6 day strech), I have to admit...I love the convenience of the location. I frequently travel Meredith Center Road, and upon returning from the boat, it practically empties into the parking lot of Jackson Star.
And, of course, the State Liquor store right next door...two birds with one stone, for sure.
So, were it to close...well, to be honest, it would make things more difficult.
Especially figuring in the fact that with the Liquor Store there, trips into that parking lot are going to continue anyway.
Just being honest....

[hazelnut]

Perhaps another supermarket would come into that location. One that people don't regard so negatively. The problem with Jackson Star is that they gouged for so long people won't shop there anymore. So it may be a win win situation. You get your convenience and you get to save money with a new store. Just a thought.

[Moss Creek Media]

If they do survive into the summer, I'd probably shop there vs Hannaford since I live down by Bobby's Girl diner on 104, and getting through Meredith in the summer takes forever.

I usually go up to Plymouth or down to Tilton, but sometimes in a pinch for a few items, it's just easier to shoot over to Jackson Star. (higher price vs lower price & gas)

Kirk

[CanisLupusArctos]

I hardly ever shopped at Jackson Star for just that reason...too pricey.

Shopping at Hannafords means we can go by boat. :) Tie up at town docks and walk across the street. If I were the owners of Hannafords I'd drum up public support for a canal from Meredith Bay, convert the parking lot to a square boat-parking pool, and add an upper level where cars could park above the boats. :D
Granted that will never happen, so we can just dream about it while we run across Rt 25 toward the town docks with our groceries. Although a pedestrian tunnel... that would be nice.

[Sunrise Point]

I hope that Jackson's doesn't leave. Yes, their prices are high...I am hoping that the competition from Hannafords will make them be more competitive price-wise. When I am up for more than an overnight visit, I usually buy most of my meat at the Meredith Center Store and stock up on groceries at Star. I always find good things on their 50% off bakery rack and stock up on breads and bagels. The staff have always been pleasant and helpful.

I like Hannafords too, its just not as close by for us. My favorite thing about both Hannafords and Jacksons is the size. Who needs these mammouth-sized supermarkets?

In addition to the state store in the mall, the laundromat is the cleanest that I have ever been in and the people there (Chris in particular) are great.

Just my 2 cents worth....

[fatlazyless]

A kayak can go up the creek that goes from the back of Hannaford's, down the little water way, past the MVSB atm, and under Route 25, to Meredith Bay. A canoe is a no-go. There's even a picnic table set up on the pond shoreline behind Hannaford's.

[Silver Duck]

I feel bad for the staff. If JS goes belly-up, it's a tough time for the folks who worked there to be looking for another job.

Silver Duck

[SAMIAM]

Meredith Center store is a gem....and a well kept secret.Barry,the owner is the former meat guy from Walters Market in Laconia ,which has always been famous for meats.Better than any of the chain stores.

[BlackCatIslander]

I must confess that in over 30 years of going through and shopping in Meredith I never noticed it. Where is it?

[sa meredith]

Meredith Center store is a gem....and a well kept secret.Barry,the owner is the former meat guy from Walters Market in Laconia ,which has always been famous for meats.Better than any of the chain stores.

I thought it was just me.
I love this store. I stop on my way to Paugus Bay Marina everytime I go by, whether I need something or not. It's just a great little place, to grab a newspaper, a coffee, or something from the butcher shop. It truly is a hidden gem...and the people that work there? Talk about friendly.
Whenever we cook bacon, it's always the slab bacon from Meredith Center Store. It is the only place we buy it.
Great, great little place. Very "country storish".

[donnamatrix]

Gee, I certainly didn't mean in my initial post that I wanted to see anyone lose their job... although that would certainly be the fallout if JS closes. They (the management) needs to get crackin' and be more competitive and find a way to entice folks to come to the store--buy one/get one (like Shaw's does quite often), some kind of marketing campaign is needed, I think. They can't continue as they are now... at least, not for long.

[Winnigirl83]

It's at the intersection of Meredith Center Road, Corliss Hill Road, and Livingston Road (easy access from Rt. 104 or Rt. 106/Parade Road). It's a great place, with great people - what a real "mom and pop" store should be. Worth checking out - they have the best meats in the area. They also have gas pumps - a tad more expensive than the chains, but I try to fill up here to support the locals.

On another note, since everyone is raving about the prices of JS, it seems to me that the Meredith Hannaford's is more expensive than the Gilford one. Or is it just me?

[GTO]

It's at the intersection of Meredith Center Road, Corliss Hill Road, and Livingston Road (easy access from Rt. 104 or Rt. 106/Parade Road). It's a great place, with great people - what a real "mom and pop" store should be. Worth checking out - they have the best meats in the area. They also have gas pumps - a tad more expensive than the chains, but I try to fill up here to support the locals.

On another note, since everyone is raving about the prices of JS, it seems to me that the Meredith Hannaford's is more expensive than the Gilford one. Or is it just me?Not sure if it is what I am thinking about or not. Does it or did it a long time ago have a cement fresh water trough out side? I rememer as a kid my parents renting a place on the end of Winnisquam and going to the little store for candy. I remember my mom and aunt freaking out when they saw some famous movie star there filling his water jugs

[Lakesrider]

Right now everyone is loving Hannafords. You just wait until this Summer. You'll wish the place burned down when you are sitting for 2 hours in traffic going down the hill into town! Or waiting for someone that has been sitting in traffic to let you out of the parking lot, meanwhile your ice cream will be melting in the trunk. Someone WILL get T-Boned at that store entrance and someone WILL get hurt. Traffic planners dropped the ball big time allowing that store to build there in that high traffic location without having a light there.
I know about the plans to install more of those roundaboutywhatchamathingies, but seriously.;)

[wifi]

LR, you are absolutely right. There is hope for JS yet... :laugh: :laugh:

[Moss Creek Media]

They should have had a back exit (with a bridge to go over the wetlands) that connects to Route 3/25

[gravy boat]

We live in Gilford and can very easily drive to Hannaford or Shaw's for the convenience, and do -- but only if absolutely desperate. We plan our shopping around when we will be in Tilton or Concord and go to Market Basket. The difference in price is signficant in most cases -- although not all.

Because I work in Manchester I go through Tilton daily But even during vacations and weekends we drive to Tilton because it's much more cost-effective.

GB

[Irrigation Guy]

I agree on the accident waiting to happen at Hannaford, but somehow I think they will put a traffic cop there for the busiest times. Just a guess.

We also plan our shopping around trips to Tilton and MB. The saving is very noticeable. Here's another vote for MB to move in when JS leaves. :liplick: