Coborn’s Unveils ‘Next Generation’ Supermarket
Coborn’s Inc. is set to take the wraps off a new concept Marketplace store this week in Isanti, Minn. The St. Cloud, Minn.-based retailer's new Coborn’s Marketplace represents what it says is the first-of-its-kind “next generation” store format with a significant focus on fresh products and an updated, modern industrial design, for a significant "wow" factor.
Chris Coborn, chairman/president/CEO of the employee-owned grocery chain, said the new store format is fitting with the company's mission to continuously raise the bar. “We are a company that is constantly striving to appeal to the changing needs of our guests. We want guests to feel eager to come to our store and view it as a well-rounded experience rather than just a routine trip to the grocery store,” he noted.
The new 45,000-square-foot store features an upper level mezzanine and community room with a completely new interior and exterior design concept. The boutique-style destinations throughout the store showcase the various fresh departments, especially the new center piece, The Kitchen, which serves made-to-order entrees that are packaged in-store for easy pick-up and quick at-home preparation. The Kitchen’s offerings include brick-oven pizza, sandwiches, soup and a full salad bar as well as other grab-and-go breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
The Farmer’s Market produce department has added a Chop Shoppe with freshly cut fruits and vegetables and features hundreds of organic produce options. The new Meat Market includes a 65-foot service meat case with a large assortment of fresh Certified Hereford Beef selections; the new in-house pit master and smoker also produces a range of smoked ribs, chicken, brisket, salmon and more than a dozen varieties of Four Brothers Signature smoked sausage.
An in-store Caribou Coffee shop features in-house seating and a drive-thru to accommodate customers on the go. Click-and-collect online shopping also is available in the location.
An on-site registered dietitian is located next to the pharmacy, allowing the dietitian and pharmacist to partner in consultations for patients with special dietary needs. The store also offers the NuVal nutritional scoring system to allow customers to easily see the nutritional value of the food they are selecting right on the price tag.
Coborn’s Inc. is a 95-year-old employee-owned grocery retailer with 55 stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods and Save-A-Lot banners.