First grocery store to operate in Thomas, WV in over 50 Years
THOMAS, WV, December 5th, 2016 — Front Street Grocers have opened their doors debuting a fully stocked and beautifully finished grocery store, reminiscent of the old neighborhood markets once found in Thomas, WV — disbanding the notion that access to fresh, wholesome organic & natural foods is exclusive to metro areas.
Offering a new standard of accessibility to food in rural areas, “Front Street Grocers was born of a shared vision to provide our town with year-round access to nutrient-rich organic foods, specialty ingredients and beverages that often require hours of driving or online ordering, to source,” explains Co-Founder Justin Doak. “The foot traffic in Thomas is growing with each passing season. The town is reclaiming its identity as an engaging activity hub and along with this growth comes the demand for basic services. An independent grocery shop is a staple to any self-sustaining town and we couldn’t be happier that the economics and community support in Thomas are strong enough to bring grocery services back to Front Street.”
“Thomas – a tiny City with a population under 500 people – hosts several art galleries and studios, a coffee shop, bars, a live music venue, gift & antique shops, a bank, bed & breakfasts, a hardware store, a brewery, a Post Office, a diner and an auto parts store. One missing business category was a grocery store. Now we are complete!”, exclaims Co-Founder Trevor Reichman, “Who needs a car?”
“We’ve managed to fit a lot into a 1000 square-foot shop. Our shelves are stocked with with over 100 fresh vegetables and fruits, pantry staples, vegetarian and vegan items, as well as beer, wine and grass-fed & pastured meats, dairy and eggs. We have a huge bulk section, too, to help reduce disposable packaging use. We focus on foods that are as nutrient-rich and toxin-free as possible, while still being affordable, sourced both locally and globally,” states Eva Gutierrez, Front Street Grocers Buyer and Co-Founder.
“We are more than a grocery store. We offer a great space to congregate around good food and drinks and explore authentic Appalachian dishes, fire-roasted food bowls, soups, salads as well as global ethnic cuisines. We are especially excited about Bake Alley – a converted alley that now provides seating that overlooks our wood-fired brick oven & bakery,” says Co-Founder Corey Bonasso. “We’ll start with kitchen & beverage services on Saturdays and we’ll grow from there. You can expect more grab-n-go, baked goods & food service events as we get our business off the ground, the snow begins to fall and skiing season takes hold.”
To follow our progress, visit us at www.facebook.com/frontstreetgrocers