Armata’s Market will not return to Shaker Road plaza in Longmeadow

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – Armata’s Market has announced they will not be returning to their former location at Shaker Road plaza in Longmeadow.

On November 23, 2021, six shops in the Longmeadow shopping plaza, including Armata’s Market, were destroyed by a fire that officials said started in a common attic space.

The business had plans to rebuild their Longmeadow location at the Shaker Road plaza but on Thursday they announced that due to high rebuilding costs and a lengthy timeline, Armata’s Market will not be returning to the plaza.

“This Longmeadow community is special and we will always carry with us all the wonderful memories at our first home on Shaker Road,” said the business on social media.

The owners of Armata’s say this decision wasn’t made lightly. Community members saddened over the news, just across the street, the owner of Frankie’s Pizza says he will always have fond memories of going to the market. “I grew up in town so I always use to go there,” says Frankie Ferrentino. “They’ve just been a staple forever. Every time we’ve ran out of something, it was just nice to have had a local spot to support.”

Town leaders echoing the same, the town manager in a statement saying in part, “We are feeling the loss once again. All I can say now is: Thank you Armata’s for what you provided to the Longmeadow residents and the greater community. We wish you the best.”

Last year, Armata’s Plaza relocated to the Village Mart in Hampden at 43 Somers Road, where they are still located. The plaza on Shaker Road is completely vacant, with old store fronts roped off. No word yet as for what the future of this site will look like.