The beloved Clayfield Markets Fresh, which has been a market mainstay of purveyors of farm-fresh food in Clayfield for the last 29 years, has come full circle. Bought from David and Cathy Harris of Harris Farm Markets fame, this neighborhood market was run as Clayfield Markets Fresh by Carlo and Susan Lorenti and has now been sold to once again become part of the Harris Farm Markets family.
By November, Clayfield Markets Fresh will undergo a transformation before its reopening as Harris Farm Markets this November.
“After 29 wonderful years, we have come to the end of our journey owning Clayfield Markets Fresh. In exciting news, we have sold our beloved store to Harris Farms Markets. While this has been a decision made with a heavy heart (as this has been our life for all these years). We also realise that the time is right for us to pass on this wonderful store to a group that will love it as much as we do,” the Lorentis announced on Facebook.
However, this is a but a new chapter for the Lorentis as they will stay on to help launch the new store, along with their current staff.
“We are incredibly excited to be opening at this site because Harris Farm used to own it 30 years ago before handing it over to Carlo and Susan,” Harris Farm Markets co-CEO Tristan Harris said. “It’s a full-circle story and we are thrilled that Carlo and Susan are staying on as our managers at Clayfield, along with as many staff as possible.”
Carlo confirmed that they will still be managing Harris Farms Markets in Clayfield.
“It’s an exciting time for everyone,” he said. “We are staying on with Harris Farms to assist with the transition and be a part of the new way forward!
“Please be rest assured that Harris Farms are well informed of our tradition and values that have been created over the many years in servicing the wider Brisbane community,” Carlo added. “They share our values and our commitment to you and to our suppliers. And they will create a vibrant new store and a new creative concept of fresh food shopping.”
Harris Farms Markets in Clayfield will be the “historic family home” in Brisbane whilst the company will also open its flagship store in May at the West Village in West End. The company will move into a part of the Peters Ice Cream building.
The NSW fresh produce retailer’s expansion in Queensland will bring jobs to over 200 staff in both the Clayfield and the West End outlets. Products from more than 300 Queensland growers, creators and producers will be available in these stores.
“The Clayfield store will be home to the best in fruit and vegetables, including a tomato shed, organic produce section and a leaderboard of Queensland strawberries and mangoes, as well as a gourmet grocery section of boutique local products, an extensive deli and offering of more than 200 cheeses, a bakery section with the best breads from sourdough to brioche, and a premium meat selection,” the CEO said.
“It will be a flavour-filled showcase of Queensland and Australian produce under one roof, and we can’t wait to open in November in a city that values their fresh fruit, vegetables and food stories so highly. Queensland is famed for the richness and range of produce grown across the state, and to be able to work with so many wonderful producers is one of our dreams.”
Harris Farm Markets has 22 stores employing 1,500 people across Australia. The family-owned company has been in business since 1971.
