Everyone seems happy about Happy Market moving to the Stonybrook neighborhood in the new Doyle’s building now nearing completion.

A virtual abutters meeting was held on Sept. 28, but there was some confusion: the notice read “JJJD Fernandez is applying for a retail package store all alcohol license.”

JJJD Fernandez is Francisco Fernandez the owner of the popular Happy Market at 128 South St. corner of Boynton.

Fernandez bought the venerable Bob’s Spa in 2001 located at 128 South St. since 1912. Attorney Jen Allen opened the meeting with a clarification: Fernandez is planning to open a super market and form a new corporation for a liquor license.

Allen said Fernandez would occupy one of the two commercial spaces [at the corner of Gartland St.].

This would be the third Fernandez market.

He also owns Happy Market at 868 Blue Hill Avenue corner of Talbot; a cousin owns Fernadez Liquors at Forest Hills.

Fernandez and his father Francisco Sr. were both on the call; the younger Fernandez said he is “excited to get into the new community.”

The building developer and owner Lee Goodman of Watermark – also on the call – appeared excited too.

Six years ago at an outdoor, folding-chair meeting on October 1, 2020, he promised a grocery for one of the retail spaces in the new apartment building he proposed to replace the closed Doyle’s.

The socially-distanced meeting was held in the Doyle’s parking lot now occupied by 69 Williams St., also built by Watermark.

The other retail space at the William’s Street corner will be the Brookline pizza joint Stoked; Stoked was awarded an all alcohol license on May 4, 2025.

Both retail spaces are still only shells although Stoke’s in the duplicated Doyle’s seems further along.

Fernandez Jr said the new location is 5,000 square feet, larger than South St which is 4,000 sf.

Allen showed the floor plans by Rosa Design on the screenshare.

Fernandez Jr said his alcohol sales at South St are “in a small section at the counter. They’re 10 percent to 15 percent of the business.”

He would not sell individual nip bottles, he assured one caller when asked.

Fernandez said he would stock the shelves with grocery items that fit the neighborhood preferences and wants.

He said he plans to offer prepared foods, sandwiches and salads.

This prompted neighborhood council member Michael Reiskind, who often attends abutters meetings when license issues are heard, to remind Fernadez he will need a common victualer license to serve prepared food.

Allen said she is well aware of that, “we will file all necessary license requirements at the appropriate time,” she added.

Fernandez said the hours would be 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and he will accept EBT.

Fernandez said there is plenty of parking around the streets including, 20 spaces behind the building and on the Meehan Street lot.

Goodman came on the call to confirm the off-street parking and added he was willing to help Fernandez get city approval for 15 minute parking on Washington Street suggested by one caller.

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Fernandez said he would be happy “with your support to get the city to define that part of Washington Street for commercial parking for deliveries only.”

This would, apparently, make Jesse Kwan very happy; she lives at 69 Williams St.

She said she was “super happy” with the new grocery next door but was worried about deliveries blocking her one- way street.

The enthusiasm was rare for Jamaica Plain meetings; of the 43 people on the call 18 testified with 15 in favor, several from recently completed 60 and 69 Williams St. buildings.

Jon McCurdy’s only comment was he wanted lower watt light bulbs in the market “to be dark sky compliant.”

”Very happy to have Happy Market,” said Steve Whalen of 60 Williams St. “The liquor license is very beneficial. You have my full support.”

“I used to go to Harvest [at Forest Hills],” Sarah Kilroy said. “It’s great to have a grocery at the corner of my street.”

“Pumped up to have you in the neighborhood,” said Marcus Walker of Plainfield Street/

“I look forward to having you opening up, coming to the neighborhood,” said Sue Cibulsky/

“Very excited,” said Hiedi from Shurland St.

Caliga and Alcurtis Clark did not seem excited. Both were concerned about the meeting format.

“Why aren’t we allowed to see each other?” Caliga asked. “We can’t see who’s on the call. How many are here?”

Neighborhood Services moderator Jeremie Bembury said the Webinar format “allows for more control. There are 43 on the call, plus three panelists.”

Clark wanted to know who to talk to about the format. Bembury said to email the comment to him and he would forward it. Clark said she wanted to know when Fernandez would “come to us, the SNA and the neighborhood council?”

Allen said she had sent requests for meetings. Happy Market is on the agenda of the Oct. 5 SNA monthly meeting.

Fernandez said he would open in a year or two years, “time to build up suggestions from the neighbors about what to stock.”

Those of a certain age will recall Freddie’s Mkt at 3492 Washington Street ( now Burrtitos Pizzaria) at Williams St, the neighborhood corner grocer from 1929 to 1984.