After 71 years of pizza, Italian sandwiches and quality wine, Tess’ Market in Brunswick will close at the end of June as its owners move on to retirement.
Owner Anne Tessier Talbot announced on Facebook Wednesday that June 30 would be the Pleasant Street shop’s last day, thanking customers for their support over the decades.
“Goodbye to the greatest customers ever and see you around town!” she wrote in the post, which received hundreds of likes and comments — with many reminiscing about growing up with Tess’ and the great food (and wine) they’ve picked up there over the years.
Tessier Talbot said she has been overwhelmed with well-wishes and the market has been full of customers since she announced Tess’ closure.
“It’s been overwhelming and very bittersweet at the same time,” she said Friday.
Tess’ Market was founded by Tessier Talbot’s dad, Hervey Tessier — better known as “Tess” — in 1955. Tessier Talbot described her dad as a “handsome Frenchman” and U.S. Marine who fought in Guadalcanal. Hervey got into the grocery business for the people, Tessier Talbot said.
“He was a people person,” she said of her father, who died at age 84 in 2006.
Tessier Talbot first started working at the store when she was 8 years old, as did her sister, Phyllis Lamarre. Now, the sisters run the store with their families.
Hervey Tessier was a wine whiz and taught his daughters well, Tessier Talbot said. When the state first allowed grocery stores to get liquor licenses in the 1970s, he was among the first business owners to sign up.
“He taught himself how to be a sommelier,” Tessier Talbot said.
Tessier Talbot said she couldn’t have kept the business running without her sister, husband, niece and their employee — especially in a time when mom-and-pop stores face increasing financial pressure.
“Thank you to the wonderful community,” she said. “We will miss them as much as they miss us.”
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