Added: We received this statement today (Monday) from Bruce Emery, Vice President of Retail Operations-Corporate Retail “We have made the difficult decision to close the Fremont, Mich. Family Fare in mid-April. We are grateful to our store guests for their loyal support, as well as our dedicated Associates for their commitment to our shoppers.”
By Ken DeLaat Photo by Lesly DeLaat After half a century of serving Fremont area residents Family Fare, nee Bill’s Shop & Save (more recently referred to as ‘Not Bill's’) will be closing their doors in mid April. There has been speculation about the possible demise of the store after yet another venue joined the grocery landscape of the county’s largest city with the opening of Aldi’s earlier this month. Years ago when Walmart expanded into groceries many thought Bill’s might be hurt by the largesse of the Superstore. But many of Bill’s long time customers remained loyal and the store continued to enjoy a great deal of popularity after the much heralded arrival of Meijer 4 years ago. In August SpartanNash purchased the store along with Shop & Save stores in Ludington and Benzonia and converted them to the Family Fare brand. Near North Now has reached out to SpartanNash for comment and will provide more details as they become available.
32 Comments
Denise
3/17/2023 02:59:56 pm
Their employees are fantastic, but the prices are ridiculous. No way was that sustainable. Could I vote for a family style roller rink ?
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Steve Thompson
3/17/2023 03:30:47 pm
This is very sad many of us in town still hold true to this small town store
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Jessica
3/17/2023 05:44:46 pm
That would absolutely be great but sadly too close to main street for skating. But I think that would be just about every 80s baby‘s dream right there!
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Lois
3/17/2023 03:42:31 pm
I'm very sad to hear that. I enjoyed shopping there.
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Rick
3/17/2023 03:55:13 pm
My feelings are that it only took a few months for Family Fare to run this half century successfull and loved store into the ground. It was successfull because of its leadership and it's employees. Many people shopped there because the meat department was liked so much. Èric Johnson worked there right out of high school and became the meat dept mañager for most of his career there and for the last 4 or 5 years was the store director and still put on the rib sale that sold thousands of racks of ribs and can't forget the brat cookout a couple of times every summer. Just my and most others opinion.
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Phyllis
3/17/2023 04:45:05 pm
I agree with "Rick". Greed for higher prices drove me away. Sad but true.
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Elisabeth
3/17/2023 04:57:47 pm
I agree. I don't want to see this store go. I just shopped there today.
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Marta
3/21/2023 07:24:16 am
I agree
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Gail
3/17/2023 04:26:11 pm
I am so sorry to hear that. I have never felt like I wanted to shop anywhere else, and I was thankful to see Family Fare kept on the employees and many of the policies, like carry out grocery service to my vehicle. There really isn't anywhere else I would rather shop here in Fremont, so this is going to be a terrible loss to many of the faithful who shopped there even when it was sold to Family Fare. Somehow Family Fare doesn't get it because they don't have a "small town" mentality for people who have been faithful supporters of small towns and wanting to shop locally in a good store. I feel lost now as to where I would really want to shop for my groceries, as I don't like the options that are left.
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Elisabeth
3/17/2023 04:58:48 pm
I agree. I want to continue shopping there.
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John Davis
3/18/2023 11:03:28 am
Ed's Orchard Market in Hesperia is a good option that's not too far from Fremont.
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Marie
3/17/2023 04:36:51 pm
It is such a shame that SpartanNash refused to listen to a very loyal staff that knew what the customers wanted. Instead corporate decided to change so many things and lost a lot of long time customers. Now all the employees, some that have been there for several years will be out of a job on very short notice. I'm sure SpartanNash isn't concerned about that.
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Joyce
3/17/2023 04:57:08 pm
Yes. They have WONDERFUL employees!
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Benjamin DeVries
3/18/2023 11:01:14 am
You absolutely nailed it Marie! Most of our employees will be leaving that billion dollar company. They want us to stay and help with the shutdown process. I will be turning my keys in by Monday morning. I refuse to be a part of that company any longer.
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Linda
3/18/2023 09:40:37 pm
Ben you and many other employees is why we shop there faithfully!! You will be mossed and so will they!
Jill Mead
3/17/2023 04:40:52 pm
I totally agree with Rick. This has always been (and still continues to be) the store where I do most of my grocery shopping. I have watched many of our young people learn the ins and outs of a first job at Bill's Shop N Save. I'm sure some of our seniors will really miss this store because it's a more convenient size to run in and pick up the items they needed for a smaller household.
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Elisabeth Krapp
3/17/2023 05:00:12 pm
I agree Jill. I don't want to see this store close. I go there for so many reasons.
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Pat
3/17/2023 06:12:51 pm
I am just heart-sick to hear this news. The customer service has been exceptional. I am so loyal to "Bill's" that I haven't even gone to the new grocery stores.
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Jenn
3/17/2023 06:42:48 pm
This is so sad. This is my go to stop when I don't want to deal with big crowds. It will be missed. Same thing happened when I lived in Big Rapids. Meijer and Walmart put Carter's and Denny's Value Land- smaller stores out of business.
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ruth betar
3/17/2023 07:09:24 pm
Don't close -I do all my shopping here now. They should not have changed things around .. I would still shop there the employees are great.. I love the small town feel of this store and can get in and out with the things I want.. Please don't close
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Mary Pettit
3/17/2023 08:41:38 pm
I always loved Bill's. I was sad to see it as Family Fare but worse yet to see it close. 💔
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Yvonne
3/17/2023 10:02:11 pm
Fremont should of not had Aldi come in and had a nice restraunt come instead.
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Biz
3/18/2023 06:49:14 am
Unfortunately word of mouth was family fare never wanted the Fremont store but had to purchase all three in a bundle or get none.
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Gary Deuling
3/17/2023 10:59:29 pm
Just anotther part of hometown service gone forever.' Grew up here with Reber's Mens wear and DeKuipers and Graichens and all the rest that made Fremont what it was in my lifetime. Worked many 60 hour weeks for Frank & Tommy Bunce at the IGA south of town bagging groceries and cutting meat for Tommy in the butcher shop. I'll Guarentee life in Fremont IS NOT BETTER without these people that gave it their all to make life better Fremont. Rick had moved on but Eric I will missyou and your meat Mgmt and store mgnt. TOO SAD, TOO BAD
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Linda
3/18/2023 10:47:06 am
Bill's shop n save has the best homemade bratts ever! The entire meat department was stellar. I am going to miss that personal service there and my hot lunch meals. So sad.
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3/18/2023 01:15:16 pm
WE WILL ALWAYS SHOP AT MIEJER BECAUSE THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUITY WITH HOSPTIALS. WALMART BOUGHT A FOOTBALL TEAM FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, WHY NOT MEDICAL CENDER FOR THE HOMLESS PEOPLE! WE DID SHOP AT BILLS TOO.
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Michelle
3/18/2023 09:55:34 pm
Well that bites. I was excited when Family Fare finally came our way. I do not like Walmart but a fan of Meijer. Keep Family Fare!!!! Not a big fan of Aldi either.
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Bonnie Erber
3/19/2023 07:38:52 am
So agree with all the comments above! Bill’s meat and produce were the best. Tried to give Family Fare a chance but prices went through the roof.
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Gail
3/20/2023 09:45:25 am
Actually INFLATION added to the prices everywhere, including all groceries in every grocery store. It wasn't just Family Fare making their prices go through the roof.
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Matt Tanis
3/24/2023 03:35:56 pm
I say we all petition SpartanNash to make them KEEP their Fremont Store open. Or have the employees SUE them for not listening to the customers.
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Forrest G Burns
3/25/2023 09:52:27 pm
Always went to Bills for the Deli and the awesome bakery. Still used the store when they changed to Family Fare.Will miss all the longtime employees and the bakery where we ordered many cakes.Loved the Apple Fritters.
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