Fresh Food with a sense of theater

The Austin-American Statesman today has three important articles about food marketing-groceries.

Whole Foods Market is opening an 80,000 sf. supermarket as part of their headquarters conference, which includes three levels of underground parking and a second floor outdoor plaza that includes eating areas.

There is an extensive feature with a diagram and fabulous photos of many of the departments.

The store has extensive prepared food sections (this is a great way for supermarkets to compete with restaurants since more and more people aren't cooking) and even a food section.

Registration will be required for you to access this article. It's worth it. The store bakes 50 different breads daily, a chocolate fountain, five sit-down eating areas, an outdoor plaza with seating for 150, 600 cheeses, in-house smoking of meat and fish, in-house nut roasiting, 1,800 wines and 150 seafood items fresh daily.

Two other good articles in the paper also. One is about H-E-B's "Central Market" upscale division and efforts to redouble focus on brand development and identity. "The stores offer a wide range of high-end food items, including unusual and organic produce, extensive wine and cheese departments, and gourmet items. They also have cooking classes and other food events, and cafes with live music." H-E-B is based in San Antonio and is one of the more successful grocery chains out there. This page is about their history.

The "Food Matters" round-up column by Kitty Crider, the food editor, has three good items. One is about how HEB is migrating "Central Market" house brands to its standard HEB format.

A second is about an Austin-made orange liqueur--"Mix some of Paula's Texas Orange, a new, locally produced orange liqueur, with a good Mexican tequila for a dynamite drink. The 80-proof liqueur is made in Austin and sells for $23.99 a bottle. " (How's that for a product that's locally unique?) As the website says, "Paula's Texas Orange is currently available only in Austin, Texas. Just one more reason to be glad you live here."

The third is about a new independent upscale convenience store, called Parallel. "Inspired by concepts in Europe, the new store at 4800 Burnet Road serves up coffee, smoothies and packaged, fresh-cooked foods such as duck with cherry sauce, kept on chilled river rocks in a refrigerated case. This store is big on design. 'The art of meal assembly is our whole thing,' says co-owner Carolyn Carlson. But there is more. 'We're all about convenience for the grab-and-go generation,' adds co-owner Geoff Helt. The 2,700-square-foot store also stocks some gift ideas, as well as packed lunches for kids and after-school snacks. If you are not in too big of a hurry, there is a small lounge for neighbors who want to gather for wine and antipasti before they go home to assemble dinner.

These kinds of concepts lend themselves well to traditional commercial districts, either downtowns or neighborhoods.