The Fine Fare Marketplace signed a lease last week with Meadow Partners, the real estate investment and asset manager that received a $24 million loan in October to refinance 155 Bay Street, where the market will be located. Fine Fare is expected to open in April. Residents of Tomkinsville and neighboring St. George are currently underserved when it comes to grocery stores. There are two large options--a 33,250-square-foot Western Beef and slightly smaller Waldbaums--but the area is otherwise dotted with small delis.

Fine Fare will take up the ground floor of 155 Bay Street, a 57-unit condominium building. The chain, which include butchers, fishmongers and bakeries in addition to reasonably priced groceries and prepared foods, has 60 locations throughout New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Fine Fare's nearest direct competitor--a 12,000-square-foot Key Foods--is 1.8 miles away in West Brighton.