Sunflower Market Makes Chicago Debut in Lincoln Park
MINNEAPOLIS -Sunflower Market, the affordable organic supermarket format from Supervalu here, will open its second new store, in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood on Aug. 30.
The discount organic grocer opened its first unit in Indianapolis in January. In June it said it would open five new Sunflower Markets, including the new 16,000-square foot Lincoln Park store.
"We're excited to roll out our first Chicagoland store in Lincoln Park, where we're certain people will embrace our concept of value-priced, great-tasting organic and natural foods," said John Sturm, Sunflower's v.p. of operations. "The Chicagoland market is one where we plan to grow and have a very strong presence."
Sturm said the store offers "smart use of technology, which eliminates unnecessary costs," as well as "self-service orientation, which delivers streamlined operations that increase employee productivity while reducing 'back-of-the-house' labor."
Sunflower Market supports local farmers and producers who offer products that meet its natural and organic standards. Shelf tags call out these special foods as "Local Treasures," 25 of which will be carried in the Lincoln Park store, including:
-- sweets and baked goods from Bleeding Heart Bakery
-- El Milagro's fresh authentic tortillas and chips
-- a variety of products from celebrity chef Rick Bayless' Frontera Foods
-- grab-'n-go salads from Greg Christian's GoGoOrganics
-- craft beers from Chicago's-own Goose Island Brewery
Sunflower Market offers a wide variety of organic produce in a department especially designed to keep produce at peak freshness. Stocked in its original packaging, the produce will be merchandised directly into an all-glass, walk-in produce cooler, thus eliminating the need for extra storage, requiring less labor, reducing handling, and ensuring optimum freshness.
"Our all-glass, walk-in produce cooler is an exciting innovation and provides an appealing and unique shopping experience for our customers," Sturm said.
Other features of Sunflower Market include:
-- a meat department that sources only the highest quality hormone and
antibiotic-free meats and seafood
-- a fresh salad bar that includes a variety of garden-fresh salads, and a
wide selection of "grab-'n-go" prepared foods including delicious
sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and entrees
-- a bakery that offers organic breads and all-natural pastries and
desserts; cookies and scones are freshly baked everyday
-- and a seating area that's a free Wi-Fi hot spot and a great place to
relax and indulge in a mouth-watering organic pastry and a cup of organic,
fair trade coffee.
"The new Sunflower Market brings 50 new jobs to the Lincoln Park community," said Sturm. "We've assembled a high-energy team that really knows our products and plans to spend much of their time helping customers."
Supervalu will bow three additional new Sunflower Markets in Columbus, Ohio in August and September 2006, and spring 2007 and plans to open 50 new stores throughout the U.S. over the next five years.
The discount organic grocer opened its first unit in Indianapolis in January. In June it said it would open five new Sunflower Markets, including the new 16,000-square foot Lincoln Park store.
"We're excited to roll out our first Chicagoland store in Lincoln Park, where we're certain people will embrace our concept of value-priced, great-tasting organic and natural foods," said John Sturm, Sunflower's v.p. of operations. "The Chicagoland market is one where we plan to grow and have a very strong presence."
Sturm said the store offers "smart use of technology, which eliminates unnecessary costs," as well as "self-service orientation, which delivers streamlined operations that increase employee productivity while reducing 'back-of-the-house' labor."
Sunflower Market supports local farmers and producers who offer products that meet its natural and organic standards. Shelf tags call out these special foods as "Local Treasures," 25 of which will be carried in the Lincoln Park store, including:
-- sweets and baked goods from Bleeding Heart Bakery
-- El Milagro's fresh authentic tortillas and chips
-- a variety of products from celebrity chef Rick Bayless' Frontera Foods
-- grab-'n-go salads from Greg Christian's GoGoOrganics
-- craft beers from Chicago's-own Goose Island Brewery
Sunflower Market offers a wide variety of organic produce in a department especially designed to keep produce at peak freshness. Stocked in its original packaging, the produce will be merchandised directly into an all-glass, walk-in produce cooler, thus eliminating the need for extra storage, requiring less labor, reducing handling, and ensuring optimum freshness.
"Our all-glass, walk-in produce cooler is an exciting innovation and provides an appealing and unique shopping experience for our customers," Sturm said.
Other features of Sunflower Market include:
-- a meat department that sources only the highest quality hormone and
antibiotic-free meats and seafood
-- a fresh salad bar that includes a variety of garden-fresh salads, and a
wide selection of "grab-'n-go" prepared foods including delicious
sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and entrees
-- a bakery that offers organic breads and all-natural pastries and
desserts; cookies and scones are freshly baked everyday
-- and a seating area that's a free Wi-Fi hot spot and a great place to
relax and indulge in a mouth-watering organic pastry and a cup of organic,
fair trade coffee.
"The new Sunflower Market brings 50 new jobs to the Lincoln Park community," said Sturm. "We've assembled a high-energy team that really knows our products and plans to spend much of their time helping customers."
Supervalu will bow three additional new Sunflower Markets in Columbus, Ohio in August and September 2006, and spring 2007 and plans to open 50 new stores throughout the U.S. over the next five years.