The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center Plans Grand Celebration

To mark the completion of their transformation into The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, new owners Jason Iglesias and Dee Jacob have planned a three-day Grand Celebration set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

The Grand Celebration, which will feature three days of hourly giveaways, free food and beverage samples as well as product specials and live music, will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, May 22 at 8 AM, with Guilford First Selection Joe Mazza in attendance.

“We are celebrating completion of this major transition we’ve undertaken since we purchased the Guilford Food Center back in April,” said co-owner Dee Jacob. “Our vision is to build upon the established Meat, Deli and Grocery store we purchased to become a place where our neighbors can come shop for their favorites; dine in; grab a coffee or tea; or sit with a dessert to end their day.”

In addition to offering high-quality meats, deli and a full-range of dairy selections, The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center will feature an expanded selection of gourmet prepared meals which can be taken out or eaten on premise in the new cafe seating section of the market.

Many of these gourmet selections will be created by house chef Andrea Dante, who joined The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center team after running Guilford-based gourmet catering company The Mad Gourmet.

In addition to the expanded prepared meal options, patrons wishing to dine-in can also enjoy a wider variety of hot and cold beverages including teas by Madison’s Savvy Tea Gourmet, coffee and espresso from Willoughby’s in Branford, or satisfying house-made smoothies or fresh-squeezed juices.

See related stories:

• The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center Partners With Local Contractors and Suppliers
• UPDATE: Guilford Food Center Has New Owners with Big Plans

“Each day of our Grand Celebration, we’ll be offering samples of many of the foods and beverages we’ll be featuring now and every day at The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, “ said co-owner Jason Iglesias. “In addition, we’ll be offering specials on some of our food products, like our breakfast sandwiches, bakery and bread selection and the Hors D’Oeuvres our catering operation offers.”

Customers will order their coffee, tea, smoothies or juices at a circa 1930 forty-foot long beverage bar. The new cafe environment will feature tables and chairs to accommodate up to forty patrons. In addition, seating will be available at counters overlooking the historic Guilford Green.

“We’ve created a comfortable cafe environment where our patrons can enjoy our many prepared food offerings, both gourmet and classic, while lingering over conversation and a cup of coffee or tea. The Green has always been a gathering place; we now invite our friends and visitors to gather here and enjoy quality foods and drink in a relaxed environment,” said Iglesias.

The Grand Celebration marks the end of a two-month long transition which involved a variety of local contractors and vendors such as R&B Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating, Floor Craze LLC and Page’s Hardware and Appliance. It also marks the beginning of The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center partnering with local providers such as Savvy Tea Gourmet, Willoughby’s Coffee and JCakes in their commitment to keep things local.

“It has been great to watch the renovations at The Marketplace at The Guilford Food Center. Much was done by local Guilford contractors and suppliers. Now they want to continue their vision by using local food and beverage companies to provide the people in our community with fresh, wholesome products that will stretch the dollar,” said Brian McGlone, Economic Development Coordinator for the Town of Guilford.

“I continue to be very excited with what Dee and Jason are doing with The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center,” added First Selectman Joseph Mazza. “I invite everyone in the community to come join me this weekend in celebrating a local business which will continue to add value to our community, and revitalize our Town Green area.”

Photo Caption
Co-owners Jason Iglesias and Dee Jacob with the recently-installed storefront sign at The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center. (Photo courtesy EJ Vongher)

About The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center.
The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center is the exciting evolution of The Guilford Food Center, relaunched in late Spring by new owners Dee Jacob and Jason Iglesias. It is a spot for Guilford residents and visitors to continue to shop and now eat and meet. In addition to the quality meats, delicatessen and event catering services town residents have come to expect; an expanded beverage, bakery and gourmet foods selection and an on-premise place to eat or drink their purchases.