logo

ABOUT

Palmer’s traces its roots back to the early 1900s as a family-owned Butcher Shop in Stamford. Now, the 4th and 5th generation of Palmer’s are running the business and their vision has transformed a simple market into a one-stop shopping destination including Groceries, restaurant-quality prepared foods, fabulous Flowers, award-winning scratch Bakery, Gift Baskets, Catering, and exclusive guided tours to destinations around the world.

We’re located directly across from Noroton Heights Train Station at 264 Heights Road in Darien.

Meet the Family

We're All Family At Palmer's
Greg Palmer

Greg attended Southern New Hampshire University where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in business. Upon graduating, he returned home to the family business where he was able to learn the business from bottom up. In just a few short months, he was offered the Produce Manager position at the Wilton location. After moving to the Darien location, he became Assistant Manager and soon after promoted to Store Manager.

In addition to overseeing the daily operations of Palmer’s Market, he is President of the Noroton Heights Shopping Center. With strong town roots and a keen business sense, Greg is passionate about volunteering within the community. Some associations include The Community Fund of Darien and The Darien Chamber of Commerce, where he was recognized as ‘Volunteer Of The Year’. Presently, Greg sits on The Darien Old Timers Athletic Association and Spring Grove Cemetery boards.

Cindy Palmer Dean

After graduating college, she ventured out into the corporate world but quickly realized that it was not a career path she wanted to pursue. She returned to the family business with a head full of ideas. Soon after she joined the team, blossomed Palmer’s Flower Shop which in turn led to the opening of Palmer’s Gift Shop. From there, Cindy, who has always been a big cook, thought the deli department could offer a lot more than just cold cuts. At that time, prepared foods didn’t even exist in supermarkets! She started making pasta and potato salads at home and selling them out of the deli case. The salads sold so well that Palmer’s put in a small kitchen and hired their very first chef.

In addition to running the store, Cindy oversees the purchasing, marketing and merchandising for Palmer’s, in addition to being involved in the design/redesign of every department in the store. Cindy’s latest ventures include the Gift Basket and Travel/Tour business.

Megan Palmer Rivera, CEO

Megan is a part of the 5th generation of her family to own and operate Palmer’s Market. She grew up working alongside her mother and grandfather at the store and always dreamed of becoming a chef. After high school, Megan attended The Culinary Institute of America, where she received her Culinary Arts Degree. She went on to study at the CIA’s St. Helena Campus, where she graduated as Class Valedictorian, adding a Baking and Pastry Arts Degree to her resume.

Megan always knew she wanted to carry on the family legacy while also following her passion, so after graduating she moved back to Connecticut and opened Palmer’s Bakery in 2007.  In 2011, Megan took over as Executive Chef, overseeing the production kitchen at the market, and, the following year, launched Palmer’s Catering & Events. Both the Bakery & Catering company have gone on to win numerous awards and have added 30 additional positions to the company, something that Megan is very proud of.  

In 2018, Megan took over as Palmer’s Managing Director and in 2023 she was named CEO. At the helm of a company that just celebrated 102 years in business, her main focus is on longevity and ensuring that Palmer’s will be around to support 100 more years of customers, employees, and local non-profits & charities.  

When Megan is not at work, she can be found gardening, cooking, skiing, and spending time with her daughters, Rachael and Emma, and her husband, Will.

AWARDS:
2022 Progressive Grocer Rising Star – Top Women In Grocery
2023 Westfairs 40 Under 40

Travis Palmer Dean, Operations Manager

Travis grew-up working in the family business alongside his mother and sister. In high school, he found his passion for jewelry making at Cushing Academy. He was the youngest person inducted into the Silversmithing Society of America and had his first gallery showing in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 17. Several of his pieces went on to Oxford University to be exhibited.
From there he attended the North Bennet Street School in Boston, America’s oldest vocational school, where he honed his skills in Goldsmithing. After an apprenticeship in Aspen, Colorado, he relocated back East and started working under Russ Hollander, Master Goldsmith in Stamford, where he continues to work evenings and on on his days off.

At Palmer’s, Travis has worked his way up to Assistant Store Manager. He is well known for his impressive beer selection and enjoys talking with local vendors and bringing new products into the store. His friendly face can be found in the aisles, front office, or fixing whatever is broken in the store. He is our resident “McGyver”.

Meet The Staff

The Palmer Family is proud to be celebrating 100 years of incredible employees. Their smiles, hard work, and dedication have made Palmer’s what it is today. We’re proud to work with over 100 employees, many whom have been for generations. Stop by the store and say hello – we’d love to get to know you.

History

Steeped in the same sense of history as the Americana of Rockwell and Thornton Wilder is the charming, wholly American story of the Palmer family. Theirs is a portrait of integrity, legacy, ambition, and charitable spirit. It represents all that was once the attainable American Dream, launched five generations ago by Rocco Joseph Palmer, a young Italian immigrant who started a small butcher shop in Stamford in 1921. Today, Palmer’s Market and Palmer’s Fine Food Catering and event services in Darien is in a class entirely by itself.

In The Press

Palmer’s has been featured in regional and national publications over the years. You can read the articles here!

Community & Sustainability

We’re always looking to give back to the local community that supports us. As part of our efforts to go green, we’re practicing better sustainability. Our employees are working hard to find new ways to protect the environment.

Got a Palmer's Story?

Share it here!