Getting to know your neighbor: North Boston Market Place is going strong after 40 years of business

Boston residents have been able to get groceries locally since 1972, and if the Marean family has anything to say about it, they can continue to do so for many years to come.

The North Boston Market Place on Boston State Road has been in operation under the current ownership since 1972, when Robert Marean was approached by Tops Markets to open a B-Kwik market in that location. Although much has changed in the world and the store’s customers’ lives since then, Robert’s son Mike Marean, who runs the business, said he is as focused on serving the local community as he and his dad have always been and does not see that goal changing anytime soon.

The store, which Marean said has always been a “family business,” changed from a B-Kwik franchise into its current, independent incarnation in 2003. Marean has been involved since around 1984.

Although he said the business is considered well-established in the Boston area, Marean added that operating an independent grocery store is not without its challenges.

“We have to maintain our customer base; try to grow. The population really hasn’t grown that much over the years and we don’t have a huge population,” Marean said, comparing the relatively static size of Boston to neighboring towns such as Hamburg and Orchard Park, which have seen more population growth recently.

Despite the difficulties the business faces, Marean said it does have a dedicated customer base that keeps coming back, despite competition from other area convenience stores such as CVS and 7-eleven.

“It’s not like it used to be,” Marean said. “But we do have the fresh meats and deli, which has always attracted people. We are a regular, full-service grocery store and we just started offering UPS Package Express™ shipping, so you can ship where you shop.” That service, which has been available since Feb. 10, allows customers to take care of their shipping and grocery needs all at the same time.

Those people are what Marean called his favorite part of the job. He credited the market’s “loyal customers” for much of its success over the years, since he sees the same people coming in over and over again, week after week.

The market employs approximately 30 people, many of who Marean said he has gotten to know over the years. “It’s great being in a small community, because you get to know everyone; not just the customers, but the employees as they grow up. It’s cool to hire someone as a kid and have them come right on up,” he explained.

As the North Boston Market Place heads into its 40th year, Marean said he plans to “just keep doing what we’re doing” to both satisfy long-time customers and attract new ones. The market is open Mondays through Saturdays, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sundays.