January 21

What should Tangletown's 56th St. Market carry?

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28  comments

We stopped into the 56th Street Market earlier this week to see how Tangletown’s new grocery store was progressing.

Owner PJ Josan told us that he plans to open by the end of the month, and he said, “We would love to hear from neighbors and what they want in their local market.” We’d asked what you’d like to see in the store before (and have passed on the responses to Josan), but here’s another chance to state your preferences now that the market’s opening approaches. (We really miss the Macrina bread that Meridian Market used to carry and let Josan know that.)

Josan told us that he already plans to carry Amy’s brand prepared foods, Smith Bros. dairy, and a limited selection of produce. The market will also sell beer and wine. Store hours are tentatively set for 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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  1. Please carry SOY MILK, so I don't have to go to QFC just to buy it. Also, Grand Central Breads.

  2. 1. Beer on tap with growler fills cheaper than Bottleworks! (Should be easy – doesn't have to be super fancy beer.)

    2. Good inexpensive sliced meats like salami and proscuitto (should have good shelf life so little spoilage). Also, smaller packages of bacon, precooked sausages (like Aidell's), and maybe kielbasa?

    3. Sealed cheeses like chevre and fresh mozzarella.

    4. Frozen quick-to-prepare foods, but not TV dinners. Ex: organic grass-fed ground beef patties, good frozen green beans, soy beans, and other veggies, frozen berries, peeled shrimps, scallops, vacuum sealed meats like fish fillets and lamb rack.

    5. Milk alternates like soy and rice milks.

  3. I would like to see well-stocked vegan and vegetarian products (frozen, boxed, refrigerated, etc). Tofu and fresh produce would be nice. Also, decent-priced local beer. Soy milk (doesn't have to be refrigerated). And Dr. Pepper. Very excited about this store. Interested to see the prices and selection.

  4. I went to the previous market for 2 things — treats for the kids (lollipops) or staples that I needed for a recipe that night and that the 50th street market didn't carry or didn't carry in fresh or high quality supplies — veggies, lemon, garlic, onion, milk, butter, ground beef, flour etc.

  5. I was always happy to find organic eggs and organic dairy products (milk, cream, yogurt) at the previous market.

    I'm sure it will be challenging to keep fresh produce in a corner market like that, but it was nice to have lemons and limes available at the old place.

    Also, Seventh Generation diapers! We can walk to QFC or Bartell's to get them, but this would be closer. 🙂

  6. I supported Meridian Market, right up to the end. At the beginning, it was well stocked with sensible product. Think items that are consumed weekly. Most of the posts want “high end” organics and the like. The problem with that wish list is this: MM did some of that and many people just didn't buy. I accept that 56th will have to price higher than QFC. It's a neighborhood market. If the locals commit to just shopping there once a week — no purchase is too small — the market will make it and can add requested items (that actually sell) as they go. Bread, coffee, staples, soda, beer, limited fruits/veggies. This CAN work if people suppor it and don't mind 56th making a profit.

  7. We're thrilled that you are opening a store for our neighborhood, because we all really miss the Meridian Market. Thank you!

    We promise to shop here if you carry:

    fresh local produce
    frozen vegies
    artisan bread (Macrina, Grand Central, Essential Bakery)
    FRESH mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese
    Haagen Dazs or Ben and Jerry's ice cream
    organic and regular milk and eggs
    Tim's potato chips or Kettle chips

  8. I hope the place is like a mini PCC, meaning…
    – Prices a bit below the QFC “not on sale” prices. QFC is really very expensive when not on sale so you have to play their stupid games- soymilk is $6 at QFC and less than $4 at whole foods.
    – Bulk purchase discounts like PCC does
    – Less choice but all the stuff is high quality and well sourced- local, free range, and so forth
    – Amy's, smith brothers, limited produce, and soymilk all sound great. Bulk fruit leathers like they have at costco would be groovy too.
    – Avoid a deli so there can be a complete grocery- I think the deli / seating area hurt the old Meridian Market as they were trying to do too much

  9. Dear New Storeowners,

    Welcome! I'd like to see a focus on the basics with an eye to quality that will make your goods appealing and desireable, yet affordable. The place across the street, now occupied by Mighty O, was formerly M & R Produce. In about a third of the square footage you have, they did a rip roaring business focusing on the basics.

    I'd like to see ingredients for cooking and making simple, tasty, and quick meals:

    -milk, eggs, butter, cheese, bread (from a local bakery, like Essential/Macrina/TallGrass)
    – vegetables (e.g., lettuce, onions, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes)
    – fruits (e.g., in season stuff, so like apples in fall and winter, and berries, melon, and peaches in summer)
    – basic grains and pastas
    – pantry items (from canned tomatoes to mustard to peanut butter)
    – cooking oil

    I think you get the drift. And, of course a few of the other basics, TP, toothpaste…

    I echo everyone else requesting organic foods as much as possible, and if you can find a supplier with quality produce that isn't expired-looking (and tasting) it will be a hit.

    It's obviously up to you what you want to sell, but I'd love to walk into my neighborhood store and shop for real food, wine, and beer vs. the barely edibles, and umpteen fortified malt liquors, cigarettes, and sodas facing me. That's already available at the 50th St “DeliMart” and nearby grocery stores.

  10. Pretty much everything “Anne” below says but I'll put in my own words:
    -produce (as locally sourced as possible)
    -wine, beer (local included)
    -milk, eggs, half&half
    -tampons, toilet paper
    -bulk items that I really need: a couple flours, rice, other grains, pasta (forget the candy-studded trail mixes)
    -meat for slicing (not packaged slices)
    -a couple nice cheeses for drop-in company but don't waste a bunch of space on super-expensive cheese you could probably get at Whole Paycheck for less.

  11. Oops, forgot:
    -coffee beans
    -bread, both sliced and artisan
    -meat: steaks, chicken, sausage.

    Regarding brands: while many in our neighborhood appreciate and seek out organic and/or higher-end brands, I think that if the neighborhood is going to shop there regularly, for more than just emergencies, the selection should strike a balance between quality and affordable. I DO NOT want another PCC. If I want to drop that kind of cash for my family of four on a regular basis, I'll go there (by car). But I loved Meridian because I could walk there and buy russets for under $1/lb (not organic, oh well).

    Regarding deli foods: I usually don't buy pre-made stuff because although convenient for picnics or whatever, it's more expensive and not as good (in terms of freshness, spices) as what I could make if I had more time. Use the real estate for meats, cheeses, etc.

  12. Espresso machines can be expensive and espresso is already abundant on that block. It should however be quite affordable to sell drip coffee from a local coffee roaster. Heck… even Costco roasts some fine beans (in my opinion). A full, huge bag of fresh roasted beans is under $10 there.

    Try to have that special thing that you make or bake daily. Homemade can be cheap to make so not a big investment to try different things. Nothing brings me to a place more regularly than the promise of something fresh and unique to the location.

    I remember this time in Tokyo. I kept going to this Lawson Family Market (chain) for their chocolate chip buns in the morning. So yummy! ^_^

    Holly cow I found it!

    http://home-baking.net/english

    Those would be awesome 🙂

    I'd pay about $1.75 – $2.00 for each of those. Odds are I'd buy coffee with it.

  13. Before I moved to this neighborhood, I lived near Markettime in Fremont. I shopped there every week.

    But to add to the present chorus:
    fresh pasta
    fresh/arstisan cheeses
    dairy like milk, eggs & yogurt
    local coffees w/ grinding station
    sausages
    staple, seasonal fruits and veggies: I don't need organic, but I do need local
    table wines
    fresh herbs, but dried herbs and spices too
    onions, garlic and shallots
    chicken and beef stock
    bulk items like grains, granola, flour
    fresh bakery items
    I also wouldn't purchase from the prepared foods deli
    Except I'd use an olive bar
    I have to say I'll never purchase a single Annie's product…it's a bland line

    I am willing to pay more money to support a local business provided its sources are also local, where they exist. I wouldn't buy things that were parsed out from Costco packages: I can go there myself. If local sourcing will make prices too much for most to pay, I'd say keep it very, very simple – with just basics and pantry items, and I'd make it a last-minute-needs spot.

    Finally: there isn't much to be had in the way of real breakfast around – some kind of breakfast sandwiches/burritos could fill a niche.

  14. Please carry organic milk, small and large sizes, Local artisan bread Wild Wheat is nice. Have espresso and drip coffee, scones from Essential Bakery, and I did love the pre-prepared breakfast sandwiches. I do agree there is a shortage of breakfast options that are not bread in our neighborhood. I used Meridian Market for last minute items, and things I could get for a quick breakfast or lunch. I did like being able to have a sandwich made to order and then put in the panini press, but did not really use the deli salads and the like. Probably because they never changed. I also usually bought: cheese, fresh pasta, pasta sauce, ice cream (personally I love Tillamook), bread, bananas, scones, lattes, beer, sodas (micro brew type), dish liquid (assorted last minute cleaning products…organic), toilet paper, gum, mints, chips, salsa, and the occasional veggie.

  15. It's so important to support our local products. QFC has a some local products, but it would be great to see 56thSM carry some local products cheaper than QFC.
    We are looking forward to grand opening day! Yay!

  16. -Macrina bread. And, please sell the day old bread, too – it's great for cooking and toast!
    -well-priced bananas
    -Frans chocolates
    -ice cream & ice cream novelties
    -chocolate chips
    -cold chocolate milk in kid-size containers – Smith Brothers or similar – not the super pricey ones that are not in the fridge.
    -any chance you could be the pick-up location for a local CSA – like Tiny's Organic? It would be great foot traffic, and I'm sure people would add bread, milk, etc. from your store.
    -no need for the usual prepared deli items. What about tomales from a local provider?
    -chips and salsa
    -fresh pasta and frozen raviolis
    -artisan cheeses. This is something I don't think QFC does well and would be wonderful to have so close
    We live 3 blocks away and look forward to your opening. Welcome to the neighborhood.

  17. Just creare an exact replica of Kens Market on top of Queen Anne and you'll be very successful.

  18. I live a block away and would love to see this store succeed! I'm willing to pay a little more for convenience, but am still cost conscience. Here’s my wish list for items (organic items are not required):

    • Milk
    • Sliced whole grain bread
    • Cold cuts (prefer honey ham)
    • Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo (light)
    • Fruits such as apples and oranges
    • Frozen vegetables such as broccoli and peas
    • Ice cream bars
    • Ground beef, turkey, or sausage
    • Whole grain pastas (dried)
    • Beer
    • Wine
    • During the summer: hot dog/hamburger buns, hot dogs and hamburger/salmon patties

  19. Shame about the “limited selection of produce” as that's what everyone seemed to want when Meridian opened.

    Fresh veggies and fruit
    Milk including Lactaid 1%
    Pasta
    Bread
    Wine (not the same brands as QFC for twice the price)
    Free range eggs
    Chocolate
    Coffee/tea
    Greeting cards

  20. I took a peak through the paper blocking the windows last night. They were busy inside getting the place ready. It looks mostly stocked and ready to go. Lots of inventory!

  21. Carry things that let me pick up lunch there instead of Zoka. Have a seat or two. A breakfast option would be nice on the weekend, so I don't have to be around the annoying runners at Zoka.

  22. Please fix the sign. I really can't go in there. The spacing between the 5 and 6 in 56th just drives me insane.

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