The Fresh Market Grocery Store (Fox Chapel: hardwood floors, sales, chapel)

[gg]

Seems they are moving into the Fox Chapel Plaza later this year. What are they like? Seems they have sushi, is it any good? Salad bar? Is it super expensive. I know very little of this market. Anyone every been in one?

Thanks.

[sskink]

We have one close by. It is expensive generally, not unlike a Dean & Deluca in NYC. My wife loves it. I'll pass because it's a pain to get out of their lot. But they do have great sales on meat on Saturdays. Also better generally quality produce than the nearby Market District or TJs. And depending on how badly they overstocked, I've found extremely great buys on great coffees there (e.g. Counter Culture for $6.99, when it's normally $15 or so).

Fox Chapel will probably love it.

[Carolina Knight]

The Fresh Market, a gourmet grocer with old world ambiance, is well known for its fresh foods and meats. Its prices can be higher than supermarkets. Its products are good quality. Most stores are 20,000 square feet in size.

[okaydorothy]

I find it very expensive so I don't shop there. I prefer Whole Foods or Trader Joes, but usually shop in the Market district. Maybe a bit like Balduccis or Grace's market in NYC from years ago

[bradjl2009]

Just what that area needs, another expensive grocer. I know someone who works in the deli at the new Market District nearby and she has told me their business isn't as strong as when the store was just a Giant Eagle. Sure there is Fox Chapel nearby, but there are also a lot of lower and middle class residents in the same area. The closest "average" store for many of them will be in Shaler now I think.

[bradjl2009]

I think that would be the closest for them. It bothers me a little that every grocery store now feels the need to be high end or as cheap looking as possible now it seems.

[Sicilee]

As others have said, upscale, small, grocery store. We have one near us, and shop all the time for specialty items. Bakery is good. Ours makes a nice sourdough baguette. Also has a nice prepared foods section and we use that often. Salmon. Ribs. Chicken. Produce -- never impressed us, so we only buy there when necessary. Ours has a very small salad bar but I have never used it. It is expensive and some things are worth it and others not. It's nice to have it close to you to have that option, but won't replace your regular grocery store.

[FrannyBear]

As others have said -- it is an upscale market -- very clean with hardwood floors and a nice spacious layout and classical music -- with excellent produce and meats. On Tuesdays they freshly grind beef chuck and sell it at $2.99 per pound. When you taste it you will be amazed at how much better it is than regular ground meat. In our area they have Saturday specials -- good prices on their wine specials and some other bakery items as well as fruit. Their sushi is good when I have bought it -- nothing amazing but tasty and fresh. Some good items in their prepared foods but they need to be more creative. They have a delicious broccoli, kale and cranberry slaw. Their cookies are scrumptious and they have alot of unusual jams, sauces, marinades, chutney and specialty jarred items like Stonewall Kitchen. They have very good coffee and it is reasonably priced for the quality. They also have small free coffee samples in the store. All of their berries -- strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries -- are better than usual. A nice extensive olive bar with things like stuffed grape leaves. It will not be your "one and only" grocery store but it will be an asset to the community.

[kbostaph]

Fresh Market is a Carolina based grocery store. It is true that it is pricey but they also have weekly specials and deals that draw people in. We shop there when we are in North Carolina and I am definitely looking forward to shopping at the one in Fox Chapel. Give it a chance once it opens and I am sure you will find that you like it. It is only expensive if you buy all of your groceries there. They have many items that are not available elsewhere and their produce and meat are very high quality.

[ex-burgher]

I live in NC. It's a pleasant place to shop because of the classical music, however prices are outrageous. I go anyway for the produce - it's fresher than our regular grocery store. Anything else is more expensive unless it's on special. They do nice special meat orders for the holidays as well.