The public finally receives confirmation of what we already knew: The Market at Hartford 21 is done.

Since September, the store’s doors have been locked from the outside, though passersby could still view cereal remaining inside of the bulk bins long after anyone could access it.

Though there has been demand for a grocery store in Downtown, this model seemed an odd fit from the start. The hours fluctuated during the summer, produce was often moldy or rotten, and the baristas were inconsistent. Additionally, some staple items were lacking and prices were designed for an elite clientele.

Hartford residents, in conversations during this last year, have most frequently expressed desire for either a Trader Joe’s or something similar to that: affordable with interesting and organic options.