Proposed groceries in Hermon down to one

HERMON – The town’s village will be home to just one grocery store, at least for the near future.

The partners of DGR Inc., which proposed a 24,000-square-foot grocery store at 2489 Route 2, have withdrawn their permit application to build the market in Hermon village.

“We feel it is a one-store town,” said Gary Sukeforth, one of three DGR partners.

DGR was one of two developers that approached the planning board in December looking to construct a grocery store. The other, Hermon Holdings LLC, owned by Tom Ellis and located at 2402 Route 2, received final planning board approval for its project in early March.

In its final appearance before the board, DGR was given a list of improvements or alterations that would have been needed before the board signed off.

Hermon Holdings LLC “seemed to get a little bit in front of us, and if they don’t follow through, then we’ll look at it again. It’s a great market,” Sukeforth said.

The DGR Inc. partners had a deal with the landowner at 2489 Route 2, which allowed them to pursue a permit without buying the land. But Sukeforth, Rob Newcomb and David Cunha allowed the deal option to expire last week and did not take action to purchase the land, Sukeforth said.

“If there was potential that Hermon could not support two grocery stores in town, then it would be great to have one that prospers, rather than have two and one struggling, which would eventually create a vacant building,” Town Manager Clint Deschene said.

Hermon Holdings plans a 24,000-square-foot minishopping center at 2402 Route 2 that would include a 22,900-square-foot grocery store tentatively named Down Home Supermarket, a Subway and a Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Dunkin’ Donuts would be accessible from the inside of the supermarket and also would have a drive-through window. The Subway will be accessible only from the outside.

Down Home Supermarket, which will be owned and operated by Hermon resident Dick Danforth, will feature a full bakery, produce section, seafood department, meat shop and delicatessen. Danforth said there is also a possibility a pharmacy may move into the store.

The grocery store is estimated to provide 50 to 60 jobs in town, Danforth said.

“I think being the only supermarket in town is very good for a lot of reasons,” Danforth said.

“It allows us to make sure we have the business to take care of the community’s needs, and it allows us to turn product over more quickly and have fresher product with more volume.”