Independent grocery store Dawson’s Market reopened Dec. 20 in Rockville Town Center under new owner Bart Yablonsky after being previously shut down in October 2018. Yablonsky was the general manager from 2012-15 and has been currently overseeing both the Rockville location and its sister location in Richmond, Va.

When previous owner Rick Hood announced his plan to close, Dawson’s Market received support and encouragement from Montgomery County, Rockville Economic Development Inc. (REDI) and the Rockville community to keep the store open, according to Yablonsky. To increase revenue, Dawson’s has added national brands to the large selection of local produce they currently sell and has employed a chef to improve the quality of the hot food bar.

“Everyone has been so excited,” Yablonsky said. “I regularly have people come up just to say ‘thank you,’ which is so nice.”