Fresh Market Opens Today in Athens, Ga.

Come one, come all, to the Grand Opening of the Fresh Market in Beechwood at 9am on Wednesday. The specialty grocer will be offering food samples, drawings for Fresh Market gift cards, chef demonstrations and more.

According to a press release sent by the company, the first 1,000 customers in the store will receive a free reusable shopping bag and a small sample of gourmet coffee.  

Remember how big Borders was? The new Athens Fresh Market store will have more than 24,200 square feet of tasty foodstuffs, including a bakery that turns out 30 freshly baked breads and 14 different kinds of pie everyday. There's also a a full service meat counter and a bunch of ready-to-eat entrées. Fresh seafood is delivered to the store several times per week, and it carries more than 200 imported and domestic cheeses. There's also a big produce department with more than 400 items and a large organic selection.

“We are excited to open our store in Athens and to expand our reach in Georgia,” said Craig Carlock, the company’s president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to introducing The Fresh Market’s concept of quality perishables, excellent customer service and a unique atmosphere to an expanded customer base, and we look forward to offering neighboring communities a rewarding new food shopping experience.”

The Athens store plans to be a partner with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and to regularly donate food. In addition, as part of the company’s attempt to provide the freshest, best quality products, the store will sell local and regional products from Athens area farmers.