Patrons came out by the dozens Saturday, May 2, for the Main Street Market grand opening in Milford. In addition to bulk grocery items and a fresh deli, the market stocks locally made soaps, canned spreads and home decor items.
The packaging might look a little different, but the goal of Milford’s new Main Street Market is the same as that of most grocery stores: to provide food for the community at a reasonable price.
The market, located at 102 N. Walnut Street in Milford, held its grand opening on Saturday, May 2.
It’s the brainchild of Neil and Lucinda Burkholder and their daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and David Ulrich.
“We went into this as a partnership,” Neil Burkholder said.
The Burkholders moved to Milford from Missouri about a year ago and decided this winter to open the whole foods store.
“We were used to shopping in these types of stores,” Neil said.
They went back to Missouri to take a closer look at whole foods stores in the area and get advice from their friends on how to build their own operation.
The families buy all their products in bulk and then weigh, package, label and seal almost everything into smaller packages.
While the market sells everyday staples like flour, pasta, soup bases and crackers, it also carries a variety of locally made soaps and lotions, canned fruits and spreads, kids’ toys and home décor items.
“We kind of have a different line of stuff,” Neil said, compared to a more traditional grocery store.
The market features a deli that sells meats and cheeses cut fresh to order, and Wanda’s Bakery out of Beaver Crossing will supply the market’s baked goods like bread and pastries, once proprietor Wanda Hostetler becomes a licensed distributor.
“Our goal is just to serve the community with good, fresh meats and cheeses and other items,” Neil said.
