HADLEY — Maple Farm Foods, which for almost 20 years has offered a wide selection of produce, meats and prepared meals from its 10 South Maple St. location, recently closed.
Along the street at the location, situated between the shopping malls and next to the Norwottuck Rail Trail, is an advertisement announcing the property’s availability for lease. The phone number at the store is also not in service, and aspects of its website are no longer functioning.
A real estate listing by L&P Commercial of Longmeadow states that 12,000 to 17,000 square feet of commercial space, with two loading docks and a drive-in door, is available on 3.9 acres, meaning the property could accommodate a business as large as 40,000 square feet.
“Given the retail demand on Route 9 in Hadley and the proximity of 10 South Maple St. to Route 9, this property is best used for a retail business,” the listing states.
Maple Farm Foods was opened in late 2006 inside a converted warehouse by Steve and Nuray Ozcelik, the former owners of Martini’s restaurant in Northampton. It specialized in produce, including some items not readily available at other supermarkets, including the many nearby such as Big Y, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Aldi.
In addition to the fruits and vegetables, the store had a deli, pies, breads with gluten-free options, and what its website described as an “eclectic offering of various ethnic meal options,” such as asparagus hummus, artichoke relish, jalapeno-stuffed olives and blackberry syrup. Many were prepared by Steve Ozcelik, a native of Sweden who brought extensive experience as a chef.
Due to its presence along the bike path, the store also had ice cream during the summer months.