Rose's Hillcrest Market to close, staff to run new venture in former Perkins

Benjamin Duer, The Repository
·3 min read
Jeremy Young, an employee at Rose's Hillcrest Market in Alliance, butchers a ham, preparing it for resale. The butcher shop at 1475 W. State St. will permanently close Tuesday.
Jeremy Young, an employee at Rose's Hillcrest Market in Alliance, butchers a ham, preparing it for resale. The butcher shop at 1475 W. State St. will permanently close Tuesday.

ALLIANCE – After 23 years, Rose's Hillcrest Market will close Tuesday.

However, the butcher shop's popular sauerkraut, pigs in a blanket and restaurant-quality meats will find a new home in the former Perkins Restaurant and Baker near Sebring.

Amy Rose, co-owner of Rose's Hillcrest Market, said she and all of her employees were offered an opportunity they couldn't resist to manage a new venture in the former Perkins space.

Perkins closed in October after the property at 20040 Harrisburg Westville Road was bought by Mike Conny, the owner of MAC Trailer and several other area real estate properties. At that time, Conny said he would like to reopen the restaurant either as a Perkins or another brand.

Four months later, the future of that property is taking shape and Rose and her crew will be part of it. Rose said a butcher shop, deli and diner will replace Perkins.

Conny confirmed the plans Friday. He said the entire complex has been remodeled. The old motel that was part of the structure will be turned into commercial offices or other businesses.

"We wanted Amy to continue her business in our area," Conny said. "The area has needed a small catering business and a place to get meat. I wanted to help the community."

Rose said she won't own the new business, which will include catering, but she will run it.

"I'm excited," she said.

Rose's Hillcrest Market on State Street in Alliance will permanently close Tuesday The butcher shop has been in business for 23 years.
Rose's Hillcrest Market on State Street in Alliance will permanently close Tuesday The butcher shop has been in business for 23 years.

Amy Rose: 'Times have changed.'

For 84 years, a butcher shop occupied the building at 1475 W. State St. in Alliance. First, it was called Hunt's, then Brandon's, and Rose's for the last 23 years.

Rose, a chef, and her ex-husband Bill Rose, a butcher, bought the business.

"We thought it would be a good match and it was," she said.

Rose's Hillcrest Market in Alliance has been in business for 23 years, supplying customers and restaurants with meat. Pictured here is steak in one of the displays. The store is closing Tuesday.
Rose's Hillcrest Market in Alliance has been in business for 23 years, supplying customers and restaurants with meat. Pictured here is steak in one of the displays. The store is closing Tuesday.

Both decided to close Hillcrest Market due to several grocery stores nearby and a shift in shopping habits that made it more difficult for Rose's to stay competitive.

"The moms and pops aren't supported as heavily as a grocery store. I don't offer any DoorDash. You can come through the drive-thru," Amy Rose said. "Times have changed."

The Sebring opportunity hastened the decision.

Rose said she has a lot of memories that she'll cherish and hold onto.

"It's very family oriented and I've made a lot of friends here with my workers," she said. "I've seen a lot of kids come through here in high school and through college work for me part time."

New venture will open in phases

Rose said the new business at the former Perkins will open in two phases — a butcher shop, deli and catering will be first, followed by a diner with a bakery. A soft launch is expected to be in April.

In addition to the nine employees following her to the new place, Rose said there will be other available jobs.

James McBride, a longtime Rose's customer, was relieved to hear that some of Rose's popular items will be at the new location.

"I'm glad they're still going to do the pigs in a blanket. They sell them by thousands," McBride said.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com.

Follow on Twitter @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Rose's Hillcrest Market in Alliance to close after 23 years