Bistro Market Springfield, Mo

Angling to capture a fresh, urban space that reflects the history of the building and the recent revitalization of the surrounding downtown area, RPCS Inc./Ramey's 10,000-square-foot Bistro Market by Price Cutter concept store in Springfield, Mo., has earned rave reviews for its gamechanging, eye-catching design that has raised local customers' expectations to new highs.

Given its central urban setting, Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc.(AWG)/Design and Décor Source Group aspired to cater to the local downtown businesses and university students that reside near the store while conceptualizing a floor plan that was not only a unique food experience, but also a social gathering destination.

Among the unique design elements and materials used in the store are custom dry-brush graphics that were hand-painted on faux brick-wall covering. In the deli, a local artist was tapped to create a mural incorporating meaningful and well-known sites from around the Springfield area. The bar top in the liquor area, meanwhile, was built with repurposed historical bricks found loose in the building.

The historical tin ceiling was repaired and kept in the space, while an oversized rolling door can be opened to accommodate more seating, which further helps to visually expand the space and create a sidewalk café feel.

While the store designers wanted to take full advantage of the historical brick wall located in the store by replicating and continuing it throughout, budget constraints prohibited the use of real brick. The challenge was overcome by using faux brick-wall covering to give the illusion that the brick continued throughout the space, without the added cost.

The size of the store, which could have potentially been blurred into one large space rather than separate departments, also presented the store designers with another unique challenge. To overcome the would-be hurdle, the innovative store design team used hand-painted wall graphics, different lighting types and contrasting color schemes in each area to visually departmentalize each area and create individual destinations within the space.

Capturing ample acclaim for its cutting-edge design, excellent array of high-quality food and beverage offerings, and solid assortment of grocery offerings, the finished product handily delivers an inviting and unique shopping experience that not only personifies the revitalization of downtown Springfield with many of the building's existing historical structural elements, but also offers local shoppers a modern, contemporary Bistro Market to call their own.