The name change comes along with the sale of the business to employee Kyla Rooney by original owners Steve and Sheri Jackson, who departed because of the loss of family time, especially with grandchildren, coupled with lingering health issues.
“The Jacksons were pioneers and we’re extremely excited and confident on not only continuing what they started but taking it to the next level,” Rooney said. “A big reason we’re moving forward with this opportunity is the fantastic local support and the structures in place to ensure that this market will have a presence in downtown Hamilton for years to come.”
Rooney, who was part of the original management team at Jackson’s when it opened in September, said the change in name and ownership will mean some “exciting updates,” including more locally produced items and increased organic produce, potential “look-and-feel” updates, and new programming aimed at attracting more customers during the weeknights and weekends.
“We need to be integrated more into the neighborhood,” she said. “That’s one reason we changed (the name) to Alexander’s. The (Alexander) Hamilton statue is visible from our window. I just think the updates need to be a little more modern to fit the urban style of the neighborhood. We’re kind of upscale and urban at the same time.”
The new Alexander’s will also be an exclusive distributor for cases of Hamilton’s award-winning bottled water, Rooney said.
In a post on the market’s Facebook page, Sheri Jackson said she became ill just weeks after opening the market’s doors and has “a lot of treatment ahead.”
She also thanked residents for their support of the business. Steve Jackson said community support for the business since its inception was “overwhelming” and “tremendous.”
“Kyla’s been here since the beginning, and given her background she was an obvious choice to carry on our vision that was so dear to us,” he said.
Rooney and her husband, Jim, who officially assumed ownership and management of the market last Friday, are no strangers to running a business. Both helped her father grow and expand the original Walt’s Barbeque from one location in Colerain Twp. to two other locations in Hamilton and Harrison, she said.
For more information about Alexander's Market & Deli, visit www.alexsmarket.com or call 513-863-3354.
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