The Fresh Market will introduce four updated area stores Aug. 16 to showcase its new focus.
The stores are in Jacksonville at 12795 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin, 13493 Atlantic Blvd. in Harbour Village and 150 Riverside Ave. in Brooklyn Station on Riverside. The Ponte Vedra Beach location is 840 Florida A1A N.
The Fresh Market wrote in news release Thursday that it will “unveil an enhanced shopping experience” with an expanded selection of fresh food, including signature bakery items, produce and convenient meal solutions.
Calling it a “refresh,” The Fresh Market also will introduce a sampling station for guests to try new items and recipes each week.
“The refresh of our Jacksonville-area stores helps redefine the shopping experience for our guests,” said Brian Nicholson, The Fresh Market interim CEO, in the release.
He said the foods were “created from a host of international food artisans, farmers, fishermen and culinary creatives, as well as our own private label, in an environment that welcomes inspiration and delights the senses.”
The stores open at 10 a.m. Aug. 16 with the new focus.
Features include “Delicious Meal Solutions” that include prepackaged fresh ingredients from the seafood and produce departments, ready to bake or microwave and serve. There also are “Bistro Comfort Bowls” in the deli department.
The “Curated Specialty Items” are small-batch and specialty goods, such as raw honey and cheeses, from local farmers, merchants and culinary entrepreneurs. There also will be new grocery items, including expanded breakfast offerings; baby items from Plum Organics; and pet food and treats.
The refreshed Jacksonville-area locations will include a “Mind & Body” section featuring protein, vitamins, probiotics, facial care and more. Also, aisles will be labeled throughout the store to guide shoppers with dietary restrictions or food allergies.
To celebrate the updates, The Fresh Market will offer giveaways, samples, entertainment and cooking demonstrations Aug. 16-20.
On Aug. 16, the first 250 customers at each of the four stores will receive a free reusable shopping bag, and the first 50 will get bags filled with The Fresh Market signature items.
There will be live entertainment 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Food sampling and cooking demonstrations continue Aug. 17-18 and Aug. 20.
On Aug. 19, the first 250 customers receive free reusable shopping bags, and the first 50 will get a free bag of The Fresh Market organic blue tortilla chips and a 16-ounce jar of salsa.
A mini-cupcake sampling will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m., along with grilling and cooking demonstrations, food sampling and live entertainment 1-5 p.m.
The Fresh Market said it partners with local organizations that work toward ending hunger.
Its newest area store at Fleming Island store in Clay County opened June 14.
Renovation plans on file with the city show The Fresh Market reconfigured shelving and lighting.
The North Carolina-based company, founded in 1982, has been updating stores and expects to complete the refresh early next year.
The company operates 176 stores in 24 states.
Supermarket News reported in October that The Fresh Market announced a new logo and expanded product offerings as its first major initiative after Apollo Global Management bought the supermarket group in March 2016.
The company’s stores were known for featuring fresh foods, produce and flowers, samples of freshly brewed coffee, as well as bulk items.
The Greensboro, North Carolina-based company told Supermarket News it would keep the “special” elements that defined it as a gourmet specialty chain.
Its website refers to “all the refreshing updates to your neighborhood store. Like improved lighting and signage that helps you find the products you want. More focus on freshness. More deliciously easy meal solutions for busy days. An expanded selection of organic, non-GMO and gluten-free foods.”
The stores are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
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