Rosemont Market consolidates production, warehouse at Stevens Avenue site
Courtesy / Rosemont Market and Bakery
Rosemont Market and Bakery has consolidated its bakery, food production, central office and warehouse operations at a 10,000-square-foot space at 832 Stevens Ave. in Portland.
A plan in the making for several years by Rosemont Market & Bakery to consolidate production, warehousing and administration under one roof has become a reality at 832 Stevens Ave. in Portland.
The company, which opened its sixth market and bakery this year, has consolidated baking, warehouse and its kitchen in a single location, which streamlines communication, creation, production and delivery, according to a news release. The bakery previously operated in Cape Elizabeth and the warehouse on Riverside Street in Portland.
Rosemont is leasing the 10,000-square foot former Aubuchon Hardware buildling. Joe Hemes of HEMESphere Design, contractor Asa Gorman and Thomas McArdle/TJM Consulting kitchen design all worked on the renovation.
"The company realized production and manufacturing facilities needed to grow so staff could develop and innovate," the news release said.
The consolidation is also part of the company's effort to increase its local food offerings, and local suppliers can more efficiently connect with several functions in one spot, the release said. There are 40 people working at the Stevens Avenue space.
Rosemont bought about $3 million in local produce from 55 independent farms in 2018, when the company was named by Winsight Grocery Business as one of the most remarkable independent grocers in the country. The award was in the community stewardship category, and highlighted the company's focus on local food.
“This project is the next natural step for Rosemont’s growth,” said Erin Lynch, Rosemont’s director of operations, earlier this year. “Rosemont’s products as well as our relationships with local suppliers are the soul of what we do. Our aim is to create a beautiful workspace that can accommodate and nurture our creative work as well as deepen and expand how we work with producers throughout the region.”
Increasing local food sales
Rosemont officials first discussed the new site with Mainebiz two years ago, and said the consolidation is part of Rosemont's effort to expand its locally produced offerings. Rosemont found the Stevens Avenue space about nine months ago, according to a spokesperson.
The first Rosemont Markets & Bakery, owned by John Naylor, opened in 2005. The company now has stores in Portland at 580 Brighton Ave., 88 Congress St. and 40 Pine St.; in Yarmouth, at 96 Main St.; in Cape Elizabeth, at 537 Shore Road; and the newest store, in Falmouth, at 231 U.S. Route 1.
Rosemont commissioned a local food report by Atlantic Corp. of Waterville in 2017, funded by a $64,922 grant from the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Promotion program, that concluded customers are willing to pay more for local food, and that Maine farmers are eager to take advantage of the trend.
At the time of the study, about 40% of Rosemont's revenue, which was approaching $10 million in 2016, was connected to locally sourced food. Rosemont’s goal “is to double local food sales in the very near future,” the study said.
“The company projects a need for twice as much warehouse space and over $200,000 of extra equipment with increased personnel to double its warehousing and handling of local food,” the report said.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments