When news broke last week of The Fresh Market’s plans to be an anchor at the site formerly known as the “Rock Pile,’’ many Guilfordites took to social media and the Internet to speculate what the store’s opening may mean to the future of the nearby Bishop’s Orchards, located less than a mile away on the Boston Post Road.

The Bishop family released a joint statement, which said: "We sincerely believe there is room for multiple stores with the mission to provide nutritious foods to the people of Guilford. Our focus will remain on growing food locally, offering wholesome farm related activities for families and providing a convenient one stop shopping experience with quality products and service.

“It is our hope that our customers will continue to support our family business as they have for the past 144 years," said the Bishops.