Mars Super Markets, the family-owned Rosedale, MD based independent, closed its Bel Air, MD unit on January 25 and plans to shutter three other Maryland stores in Baltimore (North Rolling Road), Riviera Beach and Aberdeen by around May 1. That would leave the company with 13 stores in the Baltimore area.
The reason for the closures: too much competition.
The Mars Super Market in Bel Air Plaza Shopping Center, a former Super Fresh store, originally opened in 2011 and faced stiff competition from Wegmans, Weis, two Wal-Marts, a BJ’s club unit, two Giant/Landover units and three Klein’s ShopRite supermarkets in the area.
The North Rolling Road store (Dogwood Station) was built from the ground up in 1993 and has been significantly impacted by a Weis Market which opened a former Super Fresh store on Security Boulevard in 2013.
The Mars store in Aberdeen opened in 1993 and faced mounting competition from a Klein’s ShopRite and a Wal-MartSupercenter.
Competitors on Fort Smallwood Road (PineGroveVillage shopping center) in Riviera Beach included Lauer’s and a new Royal Farms convenience store. Giant/Landover, Food Lion, Safeway and Angel’s Food Market also had stores in that trading area.
In another streamlining move, Mars closed its distribution center on Edison Highway in Baltimore in March 2014 and began a supply arrangement with Bozzuto’s Inc., the Cheshire, CT based wholesale grocer. The company had supplied its stores on a direct basis since its founding in 1943.
“We took great pride in serving these communities, and we would like to thank our loyal customers,” said Mars chairman and CEO Chris D’Anna in a statement. “Other Mars locations throughout Maryland will remain open and will continue to provide the quality and service you have come to expect from the ‘The Friendly Food People.’”
