The Chelsea Awards Night at City Hall last week provided an opportunity to honor Market Basket representative Kevin Fioli with the Project of the Year Award. The selection was straightforward—the Market Basket development project clearly merited the recognition. In many respects, this is not merely the project of the year but arguably the project of the decade: an unprecedented grocery market of significant scale now operating in one of New England’s most competitive retail environments. The economic significance for Chelsea cannot be overstated, particularly given how challenging the grocery business landscape has become. The past year marked the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. When construction on the new Market Basket began, economic collapse seemed imminent—and in many sectors, it occurred. The automobile industry nearly disappeared. The baking sector deteriorated. Real estate values plummeted. Hundreds of thousands of jobs vanished in what amounted to a classic economic crisis. Against this backdrop, the Demoulas Family pressed ahead with their vision: a new grocery destination in the mall off Everett Avenue. Without hesitation, they completed construction, filled the 132,000 square foot facility with inventory, and opened for business at the earliest opportunity. Now, five months into operations and approaching a new year, initial reports on the new Market Basket are emerging. What exists is a genuine experience populated by real people from diverse backgrounds, supported by a courteous and attentive staff dedicated to customer service. In my experience, I have never encountered a supermarket quite like Chelsea’s Market Basket. It is creating its own legend. For those who have not yet visited, it has become the subject of stories and myth. Regular shoppers find themselves continually impressed by the energy, the richness of the shopping experience, the thoughtful lighting and interior design that creates comfort, and the exterior architecture that commands attention. This is more than a supermarket—it represents architecture that inspires. An editorial last week suggested that this Market Basket signals the beginning of even greater developments ahead. When the Demoulas family collaborates with their trusted and loyal partners, remarkable achievements become possible.
