BUXTON – A family-owned Buxton supermarket has signed on with Hannaford as its grocery supplier after 30 years with an association distributor.

Plummer’s Supermarket, at the intersection of routes 112 and 22, closed for the day on June 12 for a conversion and reopened June 13 as Plummer’s Shop ’n Save.

With Hannaford as its supplier, Plummer’s gets to use the company’s Shop ’n Save trademark name.

Troy Plummer, 49, president of Plummer’s, said the change lowers prices and keeps the market competitive. Plummer said the reaction from customers has been positive.

“I’ve been in the aisles,” Plummer said, “ I’ve heard all positive things so far.”

Plummer’s previously received supplies from Associated Grocers of New England.

Hannaford will be providing groceries, along with other items like health and beauty aids. Plummer’s is retaining its popular bakery and meat-cutting departments.

“The meat department is a big draw for us,” Plummer said.

The store has a meat cutter on duty, and in the past the store has featured periodic meat sales when customers have taken the opportunity to load up their home freezers.

The first Plummer’s store opened in Hollis by Plummer’s great-grandfather in the 1930s. Plummer said his great-grandfather borrowed “12 bucks” to start the business. Plummer’s market has been at its present location since 1968.

The store now is owned by four family members, representing its fourth generation as business owners.

Plummer, his brother Garrett Plummer and two cousins, Chris Plummer and Christopher Sanborn, took over the business a year ago.

“I’ve been here 30 years,” said Troy Plummer, who was honored as grocer of the year in 2011 by the Maine Grocers Association.

Plummer is a 1980 Bonny Eagle High School graduate. He and his wife, Cindy, who is the financial manager for their market, live in Limington.

The couple has two daughters, Jill Jones, who is bakery manager, and Janessa Plummer, who graduated this year from the University of Maine and has joined the family business.

Members of three generations of the family are active in the store now as Troy’s mother, Joan Plummer, also works there.

“We all work well together,” Cindy Plummer said. “Everyone is dedicated, putting in a lot of hours.”

No jobs have been lost in the shift in suppliers and the change likely will lead to hiring more store workers. Plummer’s now has 40 to 45 employees, with 15 full time. Ann Feldhaus, a 13-year employee at the market, said earlier this year, “This is a wonderful store, it’s friendly.”

Troy Plummer said the store’s entire staff was on duty June 12 to facilitate the conversion. And a Hannaford crew also helped organize and is assisting with computer changes.

The Plummers also have hardware stores in Buxton, Limerick and Waterboro. Troy Plummer said the three hardware stores are now affiliated with the national chain, Ace. That change too place last month, he said.

The family owns the plaza, which has several retail shops at its Buxton location, and also another plaza in Waterboro. In Buxton, it donates space in its plaza for the Buxton Food Cupboard.

“As the neighborhood grocery store, they are known for their community service,” the Maine Grocers Association, said in a statement naming Plummer as grocer of the year.

Plummer said they have a loyal customer base. Their store, located on the edges of both Hollis and Standish, is easily accessible for many commuters.

Plummer’s Supermarket in Buxton changed its name to Plummer’s Shop ’n Save last week as Hannaford now supplies products for the family-owned and managed store. Pictured, from left, are Joan Plummer, Garrett Plummer, Chris Plummer, Casey and Jill Jones, Troy Plummer and his wife Cindy. Christopher Sanborn is not pictured. (Staff photo by Robert Lowell)