If delivery is often your jam but sometime you’re feeling in need of a little socialization, Fresh Direct is trying something new: the very first brick-and-mortar location of the popular online grocery delivery service — right on Main Street in Southampton.
On Saturday, May 31, the homey market will open the doors of Fresh Direct on Main in a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m., kicking off a new chapter for the New York City-based grocery delivery service, going from app to apples in a bin that you pick up and plunk in your basket.
Sticking to their locally sourced origins, the shop, which will be called Fresh Direct on Main, will feature farm-sourced produce from spots like Wells Homestead Acres in Riverhead and Deer Run Farms in Brookhaven, as well as local cheese, prepared foods, beer and wine, and also independent growers and producers from further afield. They will also have a dedicated counter serving hit-parade café faves from Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee with FreshDirect baked goods to go with.
The company was founded in 1999 by former Fairway Market CEO Joe Fedele and grocery investment guru Jason Ackerman who took a chance on the then little-heard-of concept of online grocery shopping, ordering and delivery. Today, the company is majority owned by the Turkish delivery platform Getir.
Fresh Direct will also continue its regular delivery service in the Hamptons, Shelter Island and on the North Fork, and with the new shop in Southampton, they’re working on a possible same-day-delivery option for the South Fork.
Which is awesome — but when you actually go the store, you’ll get to do cool things like ice cream socials and wine and cheese pairings. Can you do that at home? Well, sure, but it’s more fun when someone else is hosting.
Hit up the grand opening tomorrow for Champagne toasts, snacks, live music and other fun celebratory treats. FreshDirect on Main will be open daily, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. from now through December.
