Supermarket Perimeter - December 2023 - 26

Deli
By Andy Nelson
RETAIL FOODSERVICE WAS ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY even
before COVID hit.
With the pandemic shutting down restaurants, consumers not only
started cooking at home a lot more.
They also looked for alternative foodservice channels. And since they
were already relying on their neighborhood grocery stores more than
ever, retail foodservice was a no-brainer - whether it was getting an
entire meal or finishing one off with a ready-to-eat item or two.
Post-COVID, retail foodservice continues to benefit from consumer
habits established during the pandemic.
And in the summer of 2004, a new experiment in how to put retail
foodservice front and center will begin when a new concept store,
FreshTake, opens in a former 42,000-square-foot Whole Foods location
in Augusta, Ga.
The brainchild of Jackson Mitchell, owner of five Little Giant Farmers
Market stores in the Atlanta area, FreshTake promises an " unmatched
shopping journey that blends convenience, culinary indulgence, and
leisure " - and at the heart of is a retail foodservice experience unlike
any other.
Among the highlights: seating for 130, an in-store café, an outdoor
barbecue smokehouse and an instore beer and wine bar featuring
made-to-order sushi and bar food items.
FreshTake will also have a pizza and pasta station, a sandwich bar
where shoppers can craft their ideal sub, a full-service hot food bar
and a smoothie and juice bar. A huge grab-and-go section will provide
additional quick meal solutions.
" We are thrilled to introduce FreshTake to Augusta, " Mitchell said.
" This store represents the culmination of my career and a deep love for
26 - DECEMBER 2023
the grocery business. Our goal is to create a space that not only offers
top-quality groceries but also becomes a hub for the community, where
people can come together to enjoy great food, entertainment, and
convenience. "
FreshTake will also include a meat and poultry department where
customers can select their choice of fresh meat and have it prepared by
in-store chefs with a " grill while you shop " option.
And the store's fresh seafood department will also provide free
steaming services.
" We are proud to continue our family's tradition of delivering the
best quality meats to our customers, " Mitchell said. " With FreshTake, we
aim to raise the bar even higher and provide an unparalleled grocery
shopping experience for the Augusta community. "
FreshTake will also provide prepared foods delivery, allowing
customers to savor the store's retail foodservice offerings in their home
without even having to go to the store.
Mitchell is a 4th-generation member of the Mitchell Grocery family
business.
FRESHTAKE will boast a variety of features designed to
raise the typical grocery shopping experience to another
level, including a fire pit, a 5-hole putting green, 2 outdoor
balconies and a spacious mezzanine seating area above the
in-store cafe, providing professionals with a cozy spot to work
or meet over coffee while enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi.
supermarketperimeter.com
FreshTake
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - December 2023

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