Shubie's Marketplace
Opened: 2005 in current location; 1948 previously
Welcome to historic Marblehead! The town is a peninsula just east of Salem, and is a destination worth visiting for its beauty and its history. In the historic district of downtown Marblehead, most houses have plaques on them listing the year they were built, the original owner's name, and the original owner's occupation. Some of those houses are as old as the 1660s. The grocery store we're touring today isn't quite that old, having only been constructed in its current 10,000 square foot building in 2005. But in its previous location, the store dates back to the late 1940s. You can read extensively about the gourmet grocer's history on their website.
Shubie's is located right on the edge of the official Historic District, and while the rest of the town is also quaint and beautiful, it's not as historically preserved as the Historic District.
Shubie's has two entrances and exits -- one at the front, facing the street, and one at the back, facing the parking lot. I entered through the parking lot door, so that's how this tour will be arranged. The front-end lines the side wall of the store, and at the back is the extensive beer and wine department. (This is a centerpiece of the business, and the original Shubie's was primarily a liquor store, according to their website.)
Cheeses and prepared foods are in the aisle facing, with cheese, deli, and prepared foods counters lining the back wall. Bakery is in the back-left corner along with a cafe. There are a few grocery aisles in the middle, although it's not exactly a full supermarket.
The selection across the store is high-end and specialty. Marblehead is an affluent town -- per the Census Bureau, median household income is over $160,000 in town.
And as you can see, the high-end offerings are displayed with attractive, modern finishes. A lot of attention is put into presentation here.
The deli counter at the back is also where Shubie's makes to-order sandwiches and other prepared foods.
There's a mezzanine over part of the store, but in the middle, the high vaulted ceilings are open and give the space a light, airy feel.
A service bakery counter wraps around the left side of the deli counter, and there's a small cafe register in the back-left corner of the store. Opposite this area is a seating area.
Packaged baked goods, beverages, and frozen desserts are in this corner as well, which faces out to the street.
It looks like the space has been renovated fairly recently, as this 2016 photo shows a salad bar where the bakery counter is now. It looks like baked goods used to be displayed on top of the deli case.
The seating area is separated from the rest of the store by a row of shelving with home goods, decor, and gifts. This is a very attractive store overall, but I must say this cafe is fairly bland compared to the impressive presentation in the rest of the store.
Here you can see the gifts and general merchandise section.
By the way, see these people all bundled up and wearing coats? The day I was in Marblehead was in late March of last year, when it was so unseasonably cold that it actually started snowing while I was in town. Even in Massachusetts, that's cold for late March.
Owner: Carol and George Shube
Previous Tenants: none
Cooperative: none
Location: 16 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead, MA
Photographed: March 29, 2025
And that's all for Shubie's! There's actually a supermarket right in the middle of the Historic District, and that'll be tomorrow's store tour. Come back to check it out!
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