After about five years in business, Hart’s Local Grocers is closing. Many residents are disappointed that the store, which sits next to The Little Theatre about a block from East Avenue, didn’t stay in business longer.
Amanda Hecht works a few blocks from Hart’s. She said she typically does her grocery shopping at Wegmans, but she and her coworkers often pop in to Hart’s for a quick, healthy lunch.
“I think it’s unfortunate because I feel like it’s a nice spot to come outside of Wegmans all the time,” said Hecht. “And I know that there are plenty of people in my office that are disappointed about it.”
Michael Culhane said he hoped Hart’s would succeed.
“I really thought it would work,” Culhane said. “I thought this area was looking for something like this and wanted to support something that’s local and has a history. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out.”
Retired Rochester firefighter Dan Mancuso dropped by Hart’s to snap a picture on his phone and say goodbye. He’s disappointed Hart’s is going away but is optimistic about the site’s future.
“It used to be a part of Hallman’s Chevrolet body and fender shop,” Mancuso said. “If it can go from body repair to a grocery shop, it can be just about anything you want it to be.”
Keith Gardner of Greece said he goes to Hart’s when he’s downtown for other reasons. He has an idea for what should fill the location.
“Another grocery store would make sense,” Gardner said with a laugh. “Because people gotta eat -- you can’t outsource that.”
Hart’s struggled despite tax breaks from the county and its owner describing last year as its “most profitable” in existence.
Hart’s plans a closeout sale the week of March 18 and to close its doors on March 24.
