WESTFIELD – After opening on July 27, Hampton Ponds Market has steadily grown its business in the months that followed.

Jorge Alvarado, Hampton Ponds Market’s owner, said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it took an additional five months to open its doors.

“We had a plan to open within COVID, so it took a little more time. The vendors and suppliers had to wait to give us service so that’s why it took us an additional four or five months,” he said.

One of the reasons he said he decided to open the market it was to give himself and his neighbors a closer grocery store.

“All the neighbors had the same situation driving 20 minutes downtown or to Southampton to get our groceries,” Alvarado said.

While he initially did not want to open the store, he said his wife encouraged him to do so.

He added that they sell a variety of grocery products for everyone at Hampton Ponds Market.

“We have a little mix of conventional grocery, organics, gluten free, as well as some specialty items. We like to have something for everyone,” Alvarado said.

Along with typical grocery supplies, Hampton Ponds Market also serves fresh, hot food on a daily basis.

Alvarado added that he is happy with the number of people shopping in the market every day.

“We have a lot of new customers every single day. It is a steady business and we get about 200 customers per day. That is very good for a new business, especially with the pandemic we have right now,” he said.

So far, Alvarado said the market has received great reviews from its customers.

“We’ve gotten a lot of good reviews and feedback from our customers, and that’s the best advertisement we can get,” he said.

Alvarado said that the market distinguishes itself from larger grocery stores by giving customers a more personal experience.

“We’re a family business and we’re neighbors, so we treat the customers as a part of the family, we don’t count them as a number,” he said.