Progressive Grocer Presents 2015 Store Design Contest Winners

From the Empire, Garden and Sunshine states; to the Midwest mainstays of Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan; then onward to Wyoming, the Rocky Mountains and Utah; and rounded off by a strong showing from Cajun Country, 14 noteworthy food stores representing 11 states across the nation have been chosen as the standouts of Progressive Grocer’s 2015 Store Design Contest.

An impressive diversity of formats, floor plans and configurations are represented in the sixth installation of PG’s Store Design showdown, which recognizes excellence and innovation in newly built/remodeled supermarket design concepts. Winners were selected from nominations submitted by leading store design firms or direct from retail owners/operators, in six budget categories: two for new ground-up construction, three for major remodels, and a new-store conversion category added this year for supermarkets transformed from former vacant-building sites, some of which were further narrowed to recognize exceptional excellence in a particular classification.

"The masterful finished products are as distinctively fantastic and individually unique as the communities they serve, yet all of the stores share a common, unambiguous commitment to create the most wonder-filled store experience possible for their cherished local customers," according to PG's Chief Content Editor Meg Major. Analyses of this year's blue-ribbon store concepts focus on three specific areas of design excellence, including: sparks of inspiration; distinctive design elements; and differentiation devices

The complete list of 2015 Store Design Contest winners, which are showcased in PG's August issue, include:

Overall Store Design (new construction, under 50,000 sq. ft.)
Best Grocerant
Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria, Plymouth, Mich.
Design Firm: Studio H2G

Overall Store Design (new construction, under 50,000 sq. ft.)
Local Charm
LeBlanc's, Baton Rouge, La.
Design Firm: Decorworx

Overall Store Design (new construction, under 50,000 sq. ft.)
Best Ethnic/Specialty Store
China Town, Salt Lake City
Design Firm: Decorworx

Best Remodel (more than $6 million)
Remarkable Reinvention
Market Bistro by Price Chopper, Latham, N.Y.
Design Firms: api(+) (lead)
DL English Design (supporting)

Best Conversion (converting former building to new supermarket)
Inspired Reinvention
Hi Nabor Supermarket, Baton Rouge, La.
Design Firms: Decorworx and Salco Construction

Best Conversion (converting former building to new supermarket)
Form and Function
ShopRite of Burlington, Blackwood, N.J.
Design Firm: Cold Technology

Best Conversion (converting former building to new supermarket)
Organic/Natural Store Format
Whole Foods Market, Davie, Fla.
Design Firm: King Retail Solutions

Best Conversion (converting former building to new supermarket)
Overall Winner
Jackson Whole Grocer, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
Design Firm: Mehmert Store Services

Best Conversion (converting former building to new supermarket)
Preservation Perfection
Matherne's, Baton Rouge, La.
Design Firm: Decorworx

Best Remodel ($3 million to $6 million)
Fresh-focused Pacesetter
Strack & Van Til, Munster, Ind.
Design Firm: Studio H2G

Best Remodel ($3 million to $6 million)
Good to Great
Albrecht's Sentry Market, Delafield, Wis.
Design Firm: Mehmert Store Services

Best Remodel ($3 million to $6 million)
Healthy Innovation
Harmons, St. George, Utah
Design Firm: Decorworx

Best Remodel (less than $3 million)
Upscale Ambiance
Clark's Snowmass, Snowmass Village, Colo.
Design Firm: Decorworx

Best Remodel (less than $3 million)
Sustainable Stunner
Ever'man Cooperative Grocery & Café, Pensacola, Fla.
Design Firm: Bullock Tice Associates

All projects eligible for consideration were completed and open for business from February 2014 through May 2015.