New Pride store is more than just another convenience market

Sept. 2, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Springfield elected officials gathered to officially open the new Pride store on State Street last week.
Reminder Publishing photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – Elected officials, neighborhood residents and food policy advocates celebrated the opening of the new Pride Store on State Street last week.

The State Street site – once home to a motel – has long been vacant and Robert Bolduc, the CEO of the company, was praised for his development of the location.

Noting the public investment several years ago in modernizing State Street, Mayor Domenic Sarno said, “Public investment spurs private investment.”

Congressman Richard Neal said, “if there is one neighborhood that has benefitted from the federal levels it’s this one.”

Walter Kroll of the Hill-McKnight Neighborhood Council said Bolduc asked the neighborhood what they would want to see in a new store and worked with them.

“He made it easy to support [the project],” Kroll said.

Recognizing the area is a “food desert,” Bolduc worked with Elizabeth Wills O’Gilvie, chair of the Springfield Food Policy Council, to establish a unique program: customers who buy either dairy products or deli meats can received free fresh vegetables. Much of the vegetables are actually grown in neighborhood gardens near to the store by local youth.

Bolduc said, “We wanted to do something for this community.” He made a point of hiring his staff from the neighborhood, as well and is now working with the city developing part of the property into a playground that would include activities for both abled and disabled children.

Through funding from an economic justice program, Bolduc also installed five charging stations in the rear of the store for electric vehicles. He said he would be installing more charging stations at eight more of his stores before the winter.

The State Street store is the latest Pride store to open. Bolduc just opened one in Belchertown and is currently working on a larger version of his typical store in Hartford, CT.

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