Bantam Market

Where do I start? I guess the best place to start is at the beginning! In the beginning there was a general food market here. I am talking back in the late 50’s as I remember. Fast forward to what is now the Bantam Market. The new owner has really transformed this store into a near tourist stop. They have a wonderful array of specialty breads, cheese, gourmet sauces, a sushi bar which includes an impressive array of VERY fresh fish; both cooked and raw. I love the organic assortment of fruits and vegetables they offer. Their deli is second to none! Their vast offering of store made salads are terrific. Directly across from the deli you can find many ready made meals to take home which i find very convenient, and delicious! The popularity of their deli area is evidenced if you are there around lunch time. I buy my olive oil at this store because they carry my favorite brand. In this niche there is no lack of choice. Friendly, helpful, and a shopping experience to consistently enjoy. I find most everything I need, and want at this great market. Big enough to serve my needs and small enough to care about me as a regular customer! I recommend Bantam Market too everyone.

This is by far my favorite supermarket in Litchfield County! The owners are friendly, local individuals who work in their stores every single day, and they offer the best alternative/​organic selection around. They charge more for their services, yes, but that’s the cost of small business. They can’t afford to buy in mass quantity like the big guys, and that’s okay! That’s why they have such a strong following.
On a side note, these guys have the best local produce in the summer, and the greatest deli/​take-​out selection for those many tiring nights when I don’t feel like cooking. I shop here multiple days a week and they’ve yet to disappoint.

Somehow Bantam Market is staffed with both nice and horrible people. My spouse and I used to shop there on a weekly basis for their fresh produce, until the day when some employee gave my description to the police regarding a shoplifting affair (that I had nothing to do with…). After I was wrongfully handcuffed, detained, and later vindicated, the manager, instead of apologizing to me on behalf of the store, said: «If you behave well next time you’re in my store I won’t call the cops on you». What a rude idiot. I have always been a law-​abiding citizen. You won’t get my business again, or my friends’ and my family’s.

AVOID THIS STORE AT ALL COSTS. DON’T WALK, RUN RUN RUN FROM THIS PLACE! It was a really good place when the new owners took over. Fast forward to August 21, 2015 and you’ll find the current offerings mediocre at best. I purchase a lot of organic and specialty products, and this market is very overpriced. I compared 21 items that I purchase on a regular prices to the same items in Stop & Shop (and I do mean specifically exact same item and same brand), and these items would cost me $ 27.93 more at Bantam Supermarket vs Stop & Shop. Additionally, they have a display of baked goods such as cake slices, tarts, cheesecake, etc. PROCEED WITH CAUTION, THE DATES ON THESE ITEMS MEAN NOTHING. I have experienced cake that was crusty on the edges, tarts that were dried out, etc. To add insult to injury, I have spoken directly to the owner about this and nothing has changed! So, apparently he just doesn’t care! I’ll add one more thing, they have pre-​made breakfast sandwiches that they make each morning and place in a hot case for people who are on their way to work. They make, bacon egg & cheese, ham, egg & cheese, sausage, egg & cheese. Get this NO EGG & CHEESE. I didn’t realize it was so difficult to just leave the meat off the sandwich for those of us who don’t want meat! I have asked the owner, deli manager, other other miscellaneous employees, again with no results. The deli clerk says that they will make a plain egg & cheese sandwich only if you request it! If you’re on your way to work you generally don’t have time to wait! Most every item in this store is so overpriced it’s sickening! It is readily apparent that the owners David and Deb are interested in just bilking people for every last penny they can! Sure, the weekend people from New York think it’s a bargain, and probably is in comparison to the prices in New York City. NEWS FLASH DAVID AND DEB THIS ISN’T NEW YORK CITY. I almost forgot to mention one more thing, the deli clerk this morning felt it was appropriate to be snarky to me when I addressed him regarding breakfast sandwiches. I WANT DAVID AND DEB TO KNOW THAT I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GIVING YOU EVEN ONE MORE CENT OF MY MONEY AND WILL ENCOURAGE EVERYONE THAT I KNOW TO STAY AWAY! It wouldn’t bother me in the least if your business failed tomorrow, you would be getting what you deserve!

Good news: Some local produce, organics, and beer. Bad news: Lots of overpriced «specialty» items and no grass-​fed, organics, sustainable in the meat case. You’ll do better to drive to Woodbury for real organics at better value and much better quality prepared foods. The owner seems to be stocking up on high-​profit specialty stuff, but the regular everyday selection is really not keeping pace. Now that we can get «natures promise» at Stop and Shop up the road in Litchfield, there has to be value at a price to go anywhere else.

This place is like a small amusement park for people who want to play with food. I don’t know why I may need Pumpkin Seed Oil or avocado based potato chips, but these things just seem like so much fun! Mixed in with the more exotic is the more day-​to-​day, so it really does have something for everyone, even those who fear to stray from blue-​box macaroni. That being said, the prices are higher than what you may find at a more generic chain, so shop strategically.
A lot of products are local; I shop there as an excuse to browse while getting my milk from Litchfield cows. The dessert offerings will make you gain five pounds just to look at them — today there was a slice of red velvet cake with chocolate glaze that looks AMAZING… But I settled for the smaller chocolate with cream cheese filling. Delicious! Their deli also may be the best I’ve found in the local area — they’re the only ones who understand «cheese» may mean more than one limp little slice.
The employees are always nice, and the only time I’ve had to wait was when one person was in front of me at the deli. For those with a Litchfield library card, they also have a vending machine with an assortment of books.

This place ROCKS! This is a top-​shelf SPECIALITY market, i.e., not a SUPERmarket and, yes, cannot compete with the S+S’s of the world! For health-​conscious folks who love that hometown feel of friendly, warm service, it can’t be beat. Before buying my home in Bethlehem, I lived briefly in New Preston and LOVED the Northville Market; I was thrilled to find out the same owners had another market and it did not disappoint. I have since discovered by accident that this place has amazing fresh wraps to go … you can tell they’re made fresh each day! The unique brands for salsas and other condiments, as well as the great specialty tea selections is what keeps me hooked and driving the 15 – 20 minutes to get here. Bravo! Keep up the good work … I’d love to see the take out department do even more as this is an area that is lacking in our area.

This market has just about everything a tasty pallet could desire! Freshest produce section filled with the best variety! The fresh seafood and sushi counter has all the makings a seafood lover needs! And the deli… omg so delicious it could be a restaurant all by itself! Watch out for the fried chicken! It’s addictive! Ashley at the deli makes me the best ‘customized’ wraps and sandwiches I really love going here everytime! A real treat!

This is a great boutique market. In many ways it cannot compete against Big Y or Stop n Shop on price and selection. Yet, when you go to the store you see they compete effectively with unique product, a strong prepared foods to go operation, a very good meat market, and a great selection of unique/​gourmet products in frozen, dry goods, and Dairy. I only see their produce department as weak because they do not get the product turnover
David, the operator, is passionate about the business and it shows. He works with his team to maintain good customer service levels and a clean environment. He also does special orders.
This is not a neighborhood market nor a supermarket. It is a good specialty market with trendy and organic ingredients and a focus on quality.

They hopped on board the gentrification train and rode it all the way. High-​end crap for NY weekenders who don’t look at prices.
No regard for the local shopper. Bantam Market is in it for Bantam Market. $$$$
Big Value was nice and affordable. Now we have security cameras and attitude.

This is a nice supermarket, good selection of produce, meat and groceries. It is clean and bright with gluten free offerings. Prepared foods at the deli counter are not very good, however. If you can — visit the sister store (Northville Market) for fresh made salads and entrees. Many more healthy, creative and tasty options to choose from.

It always amazes me that this store carries such high quality esoteric products. One pays a little more for these, but it’s definitely quality over quantity.

owned by the same people as Northville, this little local market has everything you want and more! fresh baked goods, outstanding take and bake, and oh the organics! Fish monger and sushi to boot!
PLEASE HELP LOCAL MARKETS! THEY HAVE GREAT SALES

Great little supermarket with tons of organic options and gluten free. Fresh seafood and good meats!

This store used to be Big Value Supermarket but they reopened recently as a more upscale Bantam Market with a new owner and under new management. This is my first time in the store and I can say having been at the old store, it has undergone a complete transformation. The selection is fresher and of a much higher quality than the predecessor store offered. There are many healthy options including granola and the gluten free selection is extensive.