Beloved Grocery Store To Close In Madison

MADISON, CT — After more than 40 years, Robert's Food Center in Madison is closing, due to an inability to come to terms on a new lease, the owners announced.

"After 40 plus years of operations and 12 months of lease negotiations, we were unable to reach an agreement on numerous outstanding disputes with our current landlord," father and son owners Bob and Zach Fusco wrote in a statement.

An exact closing date was not disclosed, but over the weekend, the store dropped the price of "all dry grocery, dairy and frozen food items" by 25 percent to reduce inventory before the closure.

Additionally, as the store, located at 514 Old Toll Road, winds down operations, it has changed its hours to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The popular store has long been a fixture in town, and not only drew customers from Madison, but also from Guilford, Killingworth and Durham.

Over the years, it has hosted charity bake sales, been a meeting place for community events, and introduced a touchscreen kiosk nearly 15 years ago.

"Since 1983 and three family generations, we have been your local grocer, community partner and your friend," the Fuscoes wrote. "We have enjoyed watching your families grow along with ours through all the moments both big and small."

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