The Fresh Market got its start on March 8, 1982 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded by Ray and Beverly Berry, The Fresh Market was the fulfillment of a dream; to develop a better grocery store that brought back the feeling of open European style markets.  Smaller, service oriented and focused on perishable goods, the 14,000 sq. ft. store with 50 employees at the corner of Lawndale Drive and Pisgah Church Road was just that.  The small store with loose produce, vitamins, bulk foods and freshly roasted coffee in bins stood in stark contrast to conventional grocery stores at the time where foods had increasingly become industrialized and the stores bigger and sterile.

Working around the clock to meet the March 8th deadline, Ray and Beverly renovated a former Bi-Rite supermarket from top to bottom. With Ray handling products, prices and layouts, Beverly took charge of store design, color and overall feel.  All fixtures and display pieces were purchased used, as the store was financed entirely with the family’s savings.  From laying down the floor and painting the dark ceiling, to hoisting the first outdoor store-front sign and construction of the wooden arbors (which still appear overhead as you check out of the store today), The Fresh Market was transformed into a new shopping experience.  With low level lighting and the sounds of classical music, The Fresh Market opened its doors offering fresh meats and fish displayed in glass-front refrigerated cases instead of being offered in plastic wrapped trays, specialty hard-to-find grocery items and so much more! 

Fortunately, many customers showed up for opening day and the store was an immediate favorite among Greensboro residents.  “While many people didn’t understand what we were about or how to shop our store,” Ray admits, “most people really enjoyed the quality of our products and kept coming back.”  While much has remained the same over the last 25 years, some things have changed. Still family owned and operated and based out of North Carolina, The Fresh Market has grown in size, from one store in Greensboro, NC in 1982 to 88 stores in 17 states. When asked what he is the most proud of, Ray is quick to point out the employees of The Fresh Market:  “We have fantastic employees in our stores, and I take a great deal of pride in observing how new employees and managers learn the business.  The hard part about growth is that I no longer know most of our employees personally.”