SHELTON — For most residents walking downtown, the old Howe Market & Deli was just another vacant storefront. In Kristin Marchetti’s eyes, this was an opportunity.Marchetti, who recently moved back to Shelton, had hoped to open her own specialty grocery store, one that combines that convenience store feel with a more artisanal touch.The vacant space offered the perfect place for that business, Relish...
SHELTON — For most residents walking downtown, the old Howe Market & Deli was just another vacant storefront. In Kristin Marchetti’s eyes, this was an opportunity.
Marchetti, who recently moved back to Shelton, had hoped to open her own specialty grocery store, one that combines that convenience store feel with a more artisanal touch.
The vacant space offered the perfect place for that business, Relish Market & Deli, which she hopes will be open for business by early November.
“It just spoke to me,” Marchetti said about her reaction to the space at 464 Howe Ave., next to the popular Kickstart Cafe.
“This is the one thing I see missing from downtown right now,” she added. “There are so many people coming into the downtown ... I hope to bring that place where people can come in for a gallon of milk or a grab-and-go meal or maybe some hot soup.”
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Marchetti has two decades of restaurant experience, running front of the house in establishments where she has worked. The last couple of years she has been living in Puerto Rico and operating a food trailer.
She is a Monroe native but lived in Shelton for a time before moving out of state, finally ending up in Puerto Rico. She chose to return to the area to be close to family.
“I was looking for my opportunity here ... I found it in downtown Shelton,” Marchetti said, adding that the growing number of apartments also drew her to Howe Avenue.
Marchetti calls Relish an artisanal grocery store. In it she will offer patrons a local produce table next to shelving that will offer specialty pastas, sauces, salsas and spreads. She said there will also be grab-and-go meals, which she plans to roll out gradually.
There will be a deli counter, where she will prepare sandwiches and fresh salads. She also plans to offer cured meats, dairy, frozen desserts, hot soups, a bakery table and a self-serve coffee and tea station. Marchetti said she will also offer options for vegans as well as gluten-free and dairy-free shoppers.
“We’re not a traditional grocery store,” she said. “I want to appeal to a variety of shoppers. I know there are a lot of people who choose not to cook from scratch. I think I can offer people that fit what they are looking for a quick meal.”
Relish Market & Deli will have some indoor seating. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The market will be closed Tuesdays.
Oct 17, 2024
Weekly Editor
Brian Gioiele is the editor of the Shelton Herald and Milford Mirror. He has been working with weekly newspapers, including stints as editor in Weston, Monroe and now Shelton, since 1993. He is an award-winning news and sports writer.