PORTSMOUTH�� Philbrick's Fresh Market on Lafayette Road will close this month.

The 775 Lafayette Road market is the second of two Philbrick's Fresh Markets, owned by Rye native Phil Philbrick, to close this year.

The North Hampton Philbrick�s closed Jan. 12, after nine years in the Village Shopping Center, when management cited slow sales. The Portsmouth Philbrick's opened in 2004.

�Unfortunately, business conditions require us to close Philbrick�s Fresh Market in Portsmouth,� Philbrick said in a statement to the media. �We have had the great pleasure of serving the Seacoast over the last 15 years. We were part of the growing organic, natural and local food movements when it was a real force.�

Philbrick said he and his staff over the years enjoyed providing the market�s offerings and �send a big thank you to our customers.�

�A special thank you to our amazing staff,� he added. �They did not quit when we had a fire, they did not quit when we had a flood and they did not quit when we told them all their jobs were going away.�

Philbrick said the market will remain open �until we close in June.� Price discounts have begun and he said deeper discounts will follow next week.�

�Remember,� Philbrick said, �eat well, live well, everyday.�