Fresh Market to Open Aug. 24

Shoppers in Towson will have a new place to pick up gourmet foods later this month.

The Fresh Market announced Wednesday that its Towson location will open on Aug. 24 in the Dulaney Plaza shopping center.

Super Fresh, the longtime tenant there,

“We are excited to open our store in Towson and to expand our reach in Maryland,” Craig Carlock, the company’s president and chief executive officer, said in a press release. “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.”

Towson will be the third Maryland location for the chain, which also has stores in Annapolis and Quarry Lake.

The specialty grocer offers store-baked bread, freshly-delivered meat and seafood, and gourmet cheese. In the release, Carlock compared the store's feel to older European markets.

"Our customers enjoy shopping in an environment that appeals to all the senses," he said. "The smell of freshly brewed coffee and bread right out of the oven, the sound of classical music, soft lighting with antique décor in an intimate setting, and the ability to select and taste fresh, high-quality products all work together to create surroundings where customers are encouraged to experience the food.”

The 21,260-square-foot store will employ approximately 90 people.

The first 1,000 customers at 8:30 a.m. on the store's opening day will receive a reusable bag and a sample bag of coffee.