The Fresh Market Westport gets it right ! Today, thank you Mike who called this morning to see if I wanted to change my Valentines Dinner pick-up to Wednesday due to the snow. I kept todays pick-up. On my pick-up, Mike came out with my order, reviewed each packed item including an insulated carrier ! Mike is a thorough professional, as well as my interactions with the stores team. Summary: my wife and I had a Most Delicious early Valentines Dinner tonight. Thank you.
Welp, they lost me as a customer, which is sad because I work right in the area of where The Fresh Market is located.
As someone who's spent nearly half of her life working in the service industry (retail, food & bev, managing yoga studios) while also working in the consulting space with federal clients for several years, the satisfaction of the customer/client is #1 priority, rather than you as a manager or employee being 'right.'
I had purchased some drinks from the refrigerated section and a bar of chocolate recently in the evening, and the next morning I opened both the Thai tea and the Matcha drink to dry. I noticed some residue that had built up on the inside of the bottles. And when I tasted each, something didn't taste quite right or 'fresh.' I turned to look at the bottle to read the ingredients, etc., and notice that both drinks expired several weeks ago (one in early-mid January, and one back in December) - see photos. GROSS! Is exactly what the cashier said when I went back the next evening to get a refund or store credit to apply to my next purchase there.
The cashier had the manager come over to process the 'return' and apply that to my second purchase of bananas and some food from the salad bar.
He asked where the products are that I am 'returning" (asking a refund for), and I said, haha - they are in the trash. Because they are EXPIRED (1-2 months expired). I proceeded to show him the picture I took of the bottles with the expiration date clearly visible, but he refused to take a look. But at this point, the refund had already been processed.
He then continued to scold me and give me nasty looks saying that I needed to bring the bottles in, in order to get a refund. But the conversation fell silent because the return was already completed. I just responded with 'OK' and slowly walked out of there with my head down, feeling like I had just been shamed as if I was back in middle school.
The manager could have used this time to educate me on the return policy, in a KIND and patient and clear way, so that I could abide by this moving forward, if there's ever the case of me wanting to return something in the future. Instead, he projected his pent-up frustrations onto me, probably frustrations stemming from his non-work life, and into this minor scenario.
What I wanted to really say was: We are in a tech forward world! And it’s only going to get more advanced! Digitalizing will be the new norm. Get with it.
Anyways... if you're wanting the same type of variety, products, and salad/hot bar experience, with kinder management + better customer service, you're better off with just going to Whole Foods.
working here last year was understaffed and unfair working environment.
They had associates designed to cash out customers while I was the only one assigned cleaning duty.
It has toxic work environment and being in the front you are constantly being yelled at for the lines being to long.
And if you are off the register, you continued to get yelled at.
They didn't even noticed when I decided to finally leave for my mental health, nor call to check up on the workers to even noticed.
Watch out for Naomi in the front she is loud and usually, obnoxious.
Horrible place, not managed well. Disgusting. The food they order like the bread and what not has mold because they seem to get cheaper stuff that is older. Then they make it seem like they are fresh because they throw sandwiches and stuff out that's premade in the back where I was working they throw it out within 2 to 3 days because it goes bad. But they try to make it seem like they do that because it's always fresh when it's really older stuff about to turn into mold. Plus. Look on top of the bakery. You'll see so much built up dust. It's disgusting. That stuff falls into baked items. Plus, the shelves are super dusty. The managers are horrible . They don't care about their customers. Only for a paycheck
In Virginia there is a fresh market that I visited. Finally one opened up in Westport Connecticut. My first visit there, I asked for wild, caught fish. They have nothing but farm raised everything.OK! So I brought a rotisserie chicken. Upon checking out, I had to use the restroom filthy filthy filthy.!!! When I got home and open the rotisserie chicken it’s missing its left leg. The bone was in there, but the meat was gone, as if someone ate the meat and put the bone back in. The store was beautiful and I’m not gonna complain about the prices because fresh market supposedly, you get what you pay for. however, that’s not with the Westport Connecticut store. The staff was so robotic, like they seem to be very unhappy and that speaks volume about management. With all that being said, I won’t be returning. I’ll check out the Scarsdale fresh market! Shameful…
Great selection with some unique inventory that always keeps you looking forward to going inside. I mainly go for the fresh beef. No matter the cut, it's always fantastic. The texture, aroma and taste these steaks produce are just better than the other stores in the area, plain and simple. Truly, these steaks are of a superior quality and well worth the 25 min drive. If you love the grill like I do, go check it out. You'll thank me later
A very nice upscale market with a good variety of products not available in similar markets. A nice selection of produce and pre-made meals. The salads are always fresh, and the staff is friendly and helpful. They offer many items in bulk from coffee to candy to nuts.I wish they had more organic produce, but what they have to offer is very good.
