Groton – The owners of the Washington Street Coffee House in New London have taken over the space occupied by the former Noank Community Market and opened "Sherman's Market."

The market opened Oct. 19 and will serve as a small grocery store, deli and fish market. It sells prepared foods like tacos, pizza and soup, along with meats and fresh fish. Groceries arrive this week.

Customers stopped at the store Monday to order take-out items.

"Everyone's really happy we're here, I think," said Misha Sherman, 28, who leased the store in early October with her husband, Chris Sherman, 31. "All the locals want this place to be open."

The market is a similar concept to the former Noank Community Market, but with fewer groceries and more prepared items, Misha Sherman said.

The Shermans removed half the store shelving, and Chris Sherman built a 12-foot-long table with eight seats for customers. Another similar-sized table is used for display.

The former grocery store at 17 Pearl Street closed in August. Noank Community Market opened as a cooperative in May 2012 and drew 500 members, but wasn't able to bring in enough business to make the market work. Its predecessor, Universal Food Store, went out of business in 2011.

Barbara Servidio of Noank enjoyed a muffin in the new shop Monday.

"I'm hoping it will be successful," she said. "We've been lost without a grocery store in Noank."

Chris Sherman said the couple's business plan is to "keep it simple." The store will sell foods like Italian grinders and pizza, along with its basic grocery staples, deli and fish.

"I've just always loved the space," he said. "I've been coming here since I was a little kid."

Chris Sherman grew up in Pawcatuck and worked at Seafood, Etc. for 14 years, starting at age 13, he said. He also did some work as a commercial fisherman and has a small oyster farm at the Noank Shellfish Cooperative.

"He knows a lot of fishermen, so some of it comes right off the boat," Misha Sherman said, referring to the market's fish.

The Shermans lived on a boat in Noank in 2012 and now live in Preston. They met at the Oyster Club in Mystic, when he ran the raw bar and she worked as a pastry chef and line cook.

Sherman's Market is open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday.

d.straszheim@theday.com

Twitter: @DStraszheim