DeMoulas' Market Basket
Encyclopedia
DeMoulas Market Basket, more commonly known as Market Basket, is a chain
of 66 operating supermarkets in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It has stores from central New Hampshire
to Bristol County, Massachusetts
with headquarters in Tewksbury, Massachusetts
. Future expansion of Market Basket will also bring it to Cape Cod
.
While the chain has no official website, fan websites have been created including a list of current store locations. Supermarket News ranked DeMoulas/Market Basket No. 43 in the 2010 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" based on 2009 fiscal year estimated sales of $3.0 billion.
immigrants Athanasios ("Arthur") and Efrosini Demoulas opened a grocery store in Lowell, Massachusetts
, specializing in fresh lamb. In 1954, they sold their store to two of their six children, Telemachus ("Mike") and George Demoulas
. Within 15 years, the two brothers had transformed their parents' "mom and pop"-style store into a more modern supermarket chain consisting of 15 stores.
George Demoulas died of a heart attack in 1971 while vacationing in Greece, making Mike the sole head of the DeMoulas supermarket chain. Although each brother had promised to provide for the other's family in the event of his death, a lawsuit filed in 1990 by the heirs of George Demoulas claimed that Mike had defrauded them out of all but 8% of company stock by moving assets into shell companies, such as 'Market Basket Inc.' and 'Seabrook Sales Inc.' and claiming that these were separate companies from DeMoulas itself. The ensuing legal cases threatened to require the sale of the chain, most likely to Royal Ahold's Stop & Shop
. In 1994, Judge Maria Lopez
ruled that Mike Demoulas had defrauded George's family out of nearly $500 million, transferring 51% of Demoulas' stock to George's family.
Mike Demoulas died in 2003 at age 82 and is buried in Andover, Massachusetts
. In March 2006, Boston Magazine rated George's son, Arthur S. Demoulas, as Boston's eighth wealthiest person, with assets of $1.6 billion. He was not listed in the Forbes 2008 edition. In early 2008, the board of directors elected Arthur T. Demoulas president of the corporation.
A separate company controlled by the Mike DeMoulas side of the family operated the Lee Drug chain from 1983 until it was sold to Walgreens in 1990; these stores were usually located in the same shopping center as a DeMoulas/Market Basket. The chain's corporate relationship to Mike DeMoulas's family interest in DeMoulas/Market Basket was cited in the 1990s litigation.
Market Basket's main competitors include Hannaford, Shaw's, Stop & Shop
, Trader Joe's
, Whole Foods Markets, McKinnon's Market, and smaller, local markets, such as Butcher Boy, and, to some extent, FoodMaster
(formerly Johnnie's FoodMaster). Though the chain is often called DeMoulas, all of its 66 stores now operate under the Market Basket name (the last of which, No. 6 in Salem, New Hampshire
changed in spring 2010). Market Basket supermarkets are usually in shopping centers with other stores, often properties owned by the company through its real-estate arm, Retail Management and Development, Inc. Only two stores in the chain's history—number 38, in Plaistow, New Hampshire
and number 11 in Andover, Massachusetts
—have ever closed, although stores have closed in order to relocate to larger locations.
es, panini, rotisserie chickens, salad
s, and fried foods, as well as pre-made family-style meals. Many new stores also feature a dedicated seafood department that makes fresh sushi daily. Self checkouts do not exist in any store.
, store with a new building built on part of the DeMoulas-owned Mystic Mall. The New Bedford, Massachusetts
(#65) store had its grand opening on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. On December 12, 2010, next door to their previous store, the Burlington, Massachusetts
(#24) Market Basket opened their new store, 3 times the size of their previous store. The 108000 square feet (10,033.5 m²) brand new Londonderry, New Hampshire
(#42) Market Basket celebrated its grand opening on June 5, 2011. On June 26, 2011, a new building opened for store No. 2 Lowell, Massachusetts
on Bridge Street and is the 3rd Market Basket to have been built on that site. Hooksett, New Hampshire
(#66) celebrated its grand opening on September 21, 2011. New buildings are currently under construction in Manchester, New Hampshire
(#67), Bourne, Massachusetts
, and Haverhill, Massachusetts
(#9). Bedford, New Hampshire
planned opening in the fall of 2013, Brockton, Massachusetts
, West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
, and Hudson, Massachusetts
are future locations currently planned to be constructed in 2012.
While Market Basket has stores near the borders of Rhode Island
, Vermont
, and Maine
, no expansion into these states has yet been announced.
Chain store
Chain stores are retail outlets that share a brand and central management, and usually have standardized business methods and practices. These characteristics also apply to chain restaurants and some service-oriented chain businesses. In retail, dining and many service categories, chain businesses...
of 66 operating supermarkets in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It has stores from central New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
to Bristol County, Massachusetts
Bristol County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 534,678 people, 205,411 households, and 140,706 families residing in the county. The population density was 962 people per square mile . There were 216,918 housing units at an average density of 390 per square mile...
with headquarters in Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Tewksbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 28,961 at the 2010 census.- History :Tewksbury was first settled in 1637 and was officially incorporated in 1734 from Billerica. Like Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, it is named after the town of Tewkesbury,...
. Future expansion of Market Basket will also bring it to Cape Cod
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
.
While the chain has no official website, fan websites have been created including a list of current store locations. Supermarket News ranked DeMoulas/Market Basket No. 43 in the 2010 "Top 75 North American Food Retailers" based on 2009 fiscal year estimated sales of $3.0 billion.
Early history
In 1916, GreekGreeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
immigrants Athanasios ("Arthur") and Efrosini Demoulas opened a grocery store in Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
, specializing in fresh lamb. In 1954, they sold their store to two of their six children, Telemachus ("Mike") and George Demoulas
Demoulas Brothers
The Demoulas Brothers were the founders of DeMoulas Supermarkets, later known as Market Basket, a grocery market chain in eastern New England. It has stores from central New Hampshire to Bristol County, Massachusetts with headquarters in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.-Early years:Telemachus Demoulas ...
. Within 15 years, the two brothers had transformed their parents' "mom and pop"-style store into a more modern supermarket chain consisting of 15 stores.
Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company is a chain of supermarkets located mostly in the northeastern United States. Its main rivals are Shaw's Star Market and Hannaford in New England, while ShopRite and the A&P family of supermarkets are its main competition in New York and New Jersey.- History :Stop...
. In 1994, Judge Maria Lopez
Maria Lopez
Maria Lopez is a Cuban-American former judge and a former television jurist on the syndicated television show Judge Maria Lopez....
ruled that Mike Demoulas had defrauded George's family out of nearly $500 million, transferring 51% of Demoulas' stock to George's family.
Mike Demoulas died in 2003 at age 82 and is buried in Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
. In March 2006, Boston Magazine rated George's son, Arthur S. Demoulas, as Boston's eighth wealthiest person, with assets of $1.6 billion. He was not listed in the Forbes 2008 edition. In early 2008, the board of directors elected Arthur T. Demoulas president of the corporation.
A separate company controlled by the Mike DeMoulas side of the family operated the Lee Drug chain from 1983 until it was sold to Walgreens in 1990; these stores were usually located in the same shopping center as a DeMoulas/Market Basket. The chain's corporate relationship to Mike DeMoulas's family interest in DeMoulas/Market Basket was cited in the 1990s litigation.
Market Basket today
Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company is a chain of supermarkets located mostly in the northeastern United States. Its main rivals are Shaw's Star Market and Hannaford in New England, while ShopRite and the A&P family of supermarkets are its main competition in New York and New Jersey.- History :Stop...
, Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's is a privately held chain of specialty grocery stores headquartered in Monrovia, California. , Trader Joe's had a total of 365 stores. Approximately half of its stores are in California, with the heaviest concentration in Southern California, but the company also has locations in 30...
, Whole Foods Markets, McKinnon's Market, and smaller, local markets, such as Butcher Boy, and, to some extent, FoodMaster
Johnnie's Foodmaster
Johnnie's Foodmaster, more commonly known as simply Foodmaster, is a chain of eleven supermarkets in the Boston Metro Area. It has its headquarters in Chelsea, Massachusetts.- History :According to Foodmaster's website, John DeJesus Sr...
(formerly Johnnie's FoodMaster). Though the chain is often called DeMoulas, all of its 66 stores now operate under the Market Basket name (the last of which, No. 6 in Salem, New Hampshire
Salem, New Hampshire
Salem is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 28,776 at the 2010 census. Salem is a marketing and distributing center north of Boston, with a major amusement attraction, Canobie Lake Park, and a large shopping mall, the Mall at Rockingham Park.- History :The...
changed in spring 2010). Market Basket supermarkets are usually in shopping centers with other stores, often properties owned by the company through its real-estate arm, Retail Management and Development, Inc. Only two stores in the chain's history—number 38, in Plaistow, New Hampshire
Plaistow, New Hampshire
- External links :* * * * * * * *...
and number 11 in Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
—have ever closed, although stores have closed in order to relocate to larger locations.
Modern improvements
Market Basket has started adding Market's Kitchen to some of its existing stores and most of its new stores. Market's Kitchen offers submarine sandwichSubmarine sandwich
A submarine sandwich, also known as a sub among other names, is a sandwich that consists of a long roll of Italian or French bread, split lengthwise either into two pieces or opened in a "V" on one side, and filled with various varieties of meat, cheese, vegetables, seasonings, and sauces. The...
es, panini, rotisserie chickens, salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
s, and fried foods, as well as pre-made family-style meals. Many new stores also feature a dedicated seafood department that makes fresh sushi daily. Self checkouts do not exist in any store.
New stores
On June 10, 2009, Market Basket replaced its Chelsea, MassachusettsChelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. It is the smallest city in Massachusetts in land area, and the 26th most densely populated incorporated place in the country.-History:...
, store with a new building built on part of the DeMoulas-owned Mystic Mall. The New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, located south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and about east of Fall River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 95,072, making it the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts...
(#65) store had its grand opening on Wednesday, October 6, 2010. On December 12, 2010, next door to their previous store, the Burlington, Massachusetts
Burlington, Massachusetts
Burlington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,498 at the 2010 census.- History :It is believed that Burlington takes its name from the English town of Bridlington, however this has never been confirmed....
(#24) Market Basket opened their new store, 3 times the size of their previous store. The 108000 square feet (10,033.5 m²) brand new Londonderry, New Hampshire
Londonderry, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The population density was 555.8 people per square mile . There were 7,718 housing units at an average density of 184.6 per square mile...
(#42) Market Basket celebrated its grand opening on June 5, 2011. On June 26, 2011, a new building opened for store No. 2 Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
on Bridge Street and is the 3rd Market Basket to have been built on that site. Hooksett, New Hampshire
Hooksett, New Hampshire
Hooksett is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 13,451 at the 2010 census. The town is located between Manchester, the state's largest city, and Concord, the state capital...
(#66) celebrated its grand opening on September 21, 2011. New buildings are currently under construction in Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
(#67), Bourne, Massachusetts
Bourne, Massachusetts
Bourne is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,721 at the 2000 census.For geographic and demographic information on specific parts of the town of Bourne, please see the articles on Bourne , Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Sagamore, and Sagamore...
, and Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 60,879 at the 2010 census.Located on the Merrimack River, it began as a farming community that would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power. In the...
(#9). Bedford, New Hampshire
Bedford, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the Census of 2000, there were 18,274 people, 6,251 households, and 5,125 families residing in the town. The population density was 556.6 people per square mile . There were 6,401 housing units at an average density of 195.0 per square mile...
planned opening in the fall of 2013, Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
, West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
West Bridgewater is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,634 at the 2000 census.- History :West Bridgewater was first settled in 1651 as a part of Olde Bridgewater...
, and Hudson, Massachusetts
Hudson, Massachusetts
Hudson is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,063 at the 2010 census. The town is located in central Massachusetts, about a 40-minute drive, or about , west of Boston, and about a 20-minute drive, or about , northeast of Worcester.Before its...
are future locations currently planned to be constructed in 2012.
While Market Basket has stores near the borders of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, and Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, no expansion into these states has yet been announced.