The owners of a prominent downtown Hartford landmark say they are leasing out a vacant ground-floor retail space to a 6,650-square-foot grocery store.

The Hartford Food Market will open in the former CVS space in The Stark Building at 750 Main St.

The store, to be operated by a family firm which Adam Stark, president of building owner Stark Office Suites, described as experienced in running urban grocery stores in many different cities, including New York City.

The shop will offer groceries and prepared foods and will target both downtown workers and the growing downtown residential community.

“Since we’ve bought the building, we’ve been told by countless people that the biggest need for downtown was a grocery store/food service provider like this one. This felt like the perfect amenity for both the newly revitalized Stark Building and the downtown as a whole. The operator that will be in the space had extensive experience in this area and we felt good about the match,” Stark said in an email to The Commercial Record.

Since buying the 17-story brick-and-limestone tower, built in 1921 for Hartford Trust Co., for $4.3 million in 2017, Stark Office Suites launched a major maintenance program including new elevators, exterior lights, updated HVAC and plumbing systems, a remodeled lobby and artwork in common areas. Since taking ownership, Stark has negotiated over 73,000 square feet of leases renewals and expansions for tenants, including around 30,000 square feet negotiated since December.