Meredith's Jacksons Star to shut it's doors

In 1981, Avedisian's parents — Jack and Thelma Avedisian of Wolfeboro — acquired the Star Market in the Lakes Region Plaza in Gilford, renaming it Jackson's Star. Then, "in late 1988 one of our customers came to us about a shopping center he was building in Meredith and we've been here since 1990," Avedisian said.
Asked to explains the reason for the closing, Avedisian replied, "The economy was the first piece of it, and the other part is the addition of more and more food space in the general marketplace."
He conceded that the newly-opened Hannaford Bros. supermarket on Route 25 in Meredith bit into the Jackson's Star bottom line.
"We wished we didn't have to do it, but economically it's not making any sense to keep the store open at this point" which is why Avedisian said his family is departing the leased space they've called home for two decades.
The Avedisians continue to operate food stores in Weston, Mass., and Lexington, Mass., and retain the rights to the "Star" name in New Hampshire. Avedisian explained that while Jackson's Star was independently owned, it had a relationship with the large supermarket chain and had purchased groceries from and done shared advertising with it.
Peter Brothers, who chairs Meredith's Board of Selectmen, bemoaned the store's closing.
"It's very unfortunate whenever you lose a business," he said. "Whenever you (gain) one you hope you'll keep them both. My concern is for the owner and all the employees and the managers and everyone I know. It's very unfortunate when something like that happens."
Avedisian said he and his family take consolation in the closing from Jackson's Star many loyal customers and employees.

"We've had a lot of great customers who have been supportive of us and although there's a new competitor to go to, they've continued to shop and support us, but we just needed a lot more of those people," Avedisian said. "We're going to miss our customers because they're part of our family in a way."
As for the employees, some of whom have been with the company since its founding, Avedisian said he and his family were "working with a number of different retail companies and wholesalers to see if we can place any of our people," he said, adding however, that "with the economy," finding those placements is challenging. Avedisian declined to say what kind of severance, if any, was given to the employees.
Looking back over the years, Avedisian said he was proud that Jackson's Star offered some of the best groceries, produce, cheeses and meats in the Lakes Region.
"We have a variety that you won't have in most places. We were one of the earliest retailers to have gluten-free products," he said.

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