Saturday, February 28, 2009

Fresh Harvest Market "Pre-Opening"

We've been hearing good things from readers about Fresh Harvest Market at Sheridan and Leland, even though they're not having their Grand Opening until Friday:

"My husband and I checked out Fresh Harvest this morning, but the grand opening has been pushed back until next week. Two guys who I'm assuming were owners were very nice and let us come in and check out the place. It looks really great inside. It's nearly a full grocery store from the looks of it. The non-perishables and dairy was already stocked. It looks like they are going to carry a lot of items (deli meats, dairy, frozen food, full meat case, etc.) and I can't stress enough what a nice job they did with the inside. My husband and I can't wait until they open."

"I stopped at Fresh Harvest Market on my way home from work to get some milk. About half the paper is still on the front window, so I wasn't sure they were open. Turns out they're having a 'pre-opening' for the first week, because the store isn't fully stocked yet. But... OMG... even in its half-full state, it looks amazing. They have areas for seafood, a meat market, a coffee bar, a deli, a florist, bakery, salad bar, and international foods. The place is much bigger than it looks from the outside, and the prices are comparable to Jewel. Best of all, they're offering free coffee or tea to shoppers this week, and the milk I stopped to get? On sale for the pre-opening -- just $1.99 a gallon, about half the usual price. It reminds me a really nice NYC grocery store, and I think it's going to be a great addition to the neighborhood."

29 comments:

  1. Wow, looks nice and quite promising.

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  2. Hmmm, looks like Jewel will be receiving a bit less business from me. And now no more emergency trips to J.J. Peppers when I run out of milk...

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  3. I will definitely do what I can to support another local business. If they are able to keep up a fresh veggie supply (and maybe even offer local & sustainable produce!!) this place will be GOLDEN...frackin' GOLDEN I tell you! Ok. Enough for my Blago moment. Anyone know if they have any parking or bike racks? I ask because sometimes snow, glass jars and kids = Newman's Own all over the sidewalk! :)

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  4. But do they hire union labor? Or will they have special programs to hire disabled, etc. like the big chains do? For many of us that's a crucial factor in what businesses to patronize; we treat the "extra" prices as a "cost of doing business" to support labor.

    Looks nice on the inside, though; I'll grant you that.

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  5. Others in the Uptown community patronize places because inspectors have saddled small struggling business owners with thousands of dollars in questionable code violations and because vandals smashed out their windows or painted graffiti on their storefronts.

    Wouldn't it be nice if we all were a little more forthright and honest?

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  6. Gayle Gayle Gayle. I'm guessing the store will make it without your puchases of granola and hummus.

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  7. I wonder if Gayle places the same types of requirements on the other independent businesses in the area?

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  8. "But do they hire union labor? Or will they have special programs to hire disabled, etc. like the big chains do?"

    I am sure they do all of the above and plant trees to offset carbon, donate to a local charity, pay off Helen Shiller, take out numerous insurance policy's to cover lawsuits, install security cameras and bars on the windows, and shovel the walk way.

    How about we let a local independent business open up and try to make a dollar of profit in this "free economy" before we start shoving failed business models down their throat? Sound like a plan Gayle?

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  9. Gayle, when you say "do they hire union labor" I hope you are NOT suggesting that they should be hiring union labor. There are many good, hard working non-union people who need jobs. Even though Chicago has some of the most union-biased laws of any city in the U.S. it is still legal to open a business without unions being forced down your throat.

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  10. Give me a break!! Gayle how do you suggest that the family that owns this business can afford to pay THEMSELVES a living wage if they hire union labor!
    Nothing is good enough...do you thinkg JJ Peppers or the SL Pantry hire Union labor? I hope they do well and MAKE MONEY DOING IT!! I will make my first purchase on Friday.

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  11. Small businesses are doing well by their employees if they come close to offering a living wage AND give them enough hours to count as FT employees. They don't need to be union in order to do that. McDonald's franchises and big box stores, for example, are quite adroit at working people right up to FT hours but never getting them to 40hrs so as to avoid paying any benefits. In addition, some people need the kind of scheduling flexibility that a small business can provide. I know people who have lost jobs over their kids getting sick one too many times during the winter. Sometimes small business owners are more able to pick up the slack for good employees when stuff like that happens.

    I am willing to patronize this business and give them the benefit of the doubt until I hear otherwise. Seems to me that they are looking to offer ready-to-go items and that this might be a good employment match for graduates of the Inspiration programs. Why not show them that Uptowners put their money where their mouth is and are willing to patronize a good business that is willing to do good by this community?

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  12. I wonder if they installed solar panels, to power their coolers, if they made sure if all the products they are going to sell were not tested on animals, if the owners are up to date on their greenpeace dues, compost the feces from the employee and customer restrooms, volunteered for the peace corps, and send money to the Mandela trust annually.

    I just think business owners should jump through a few hoops for me in order to get my hard earned money for some produce and a gallon of milk each week.

    Gayle are you serious? I hope you donated to Fix Wilson Yard because you should be outraged that a non-union shop is coming to the hood.

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  13. Hey Gayle who have you ever employed?
    Dont you dare tell me where I should go to by food for my family.
    If you want to pay High prices to make you feel good, well good for you, but as for me Ill look for the best price for my money.

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  14. How do we get one of these at Clark and Wilson. We are seriously lacking in grocery options over here.

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  15. Dawn,
    I heard a rumor a while back that Mr. Rayan, who owns everything on that corner, was wanting to open up a small grocery store in the location of the now closed Rayan's Eatery. You might be able to catch him in the dry cleaners on the corner. Let him know that this is needed.

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  16. Last time I talked to him about it he said he was having trouble with permits and stuff. If I see him again, I'll ask him what's going on.

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  17. I tried to stop by on my late lunch break earlier and I found the doors locked. Lights looked to be on, but the door was locked up tight. The milk special signs were all still there. Grand opening is set for March 6, but I have no idea why they weren't open today. I was under the impression that they were in the soft opening period before a grand opening.

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  18. Sassy, it's super close to the corner of Leland and Sheridan. There is no parking lot, but as I look out my window I do not see a bike rack. Hopefully they will be able to accommodate those with bikes, although it's also right next to a bus stop.

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  19. Dear Uptown Residents,
    I am a student at Columbia College Chicago and I am writing a story on the Fresh Harvest Market in Uptown for my Community News class. I would really appreciate it if anyone would be willing to send me their name and contact info. to use as sources and get your opinions about Fresh Harvest Market. Anything will help. Thank-you.

    Angie

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  20. any word on if this place is open before the "grand" opening or not? I don't want to walk back up there if the door is going to be locked again.

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  21. Andy -- I don't know if they're on any kind of schedule. The "code" seems to be that if the paper's up in all the windows, no one's there. If some of the panels are down, they're open.

    At least after Friday, we shouldn't have this problem. ;-)

    According to Google, the phone number is (773) 516-4860. Give 'em a call and see if they're there.

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  22. I just looked out my window, and there is a bike rack.

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  23. AngieDub,
    You may want to head over to the location this weekend and interview customers after they have had the opportunity to shop the store. Looks great inside, as I was in it this past weekend.

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  24. I just returned from Fresh Market, which was open for business! Everything seems to be in place save a few pre-prepared foods and the seafood section. I am VERY excited about the place... Everything looked very fresh, the prices seemed reasonable, and the selection was excellent. I really think I can do all of my shopping there! My biggest worry / concern... I just don't see how they can make it. Everyone who reads this blog has to do all of their shopping there, as it's the only chance they have, in my opinion. As I scanned the variety of things they carry (beautiful poblano peppers! bone marrow! and a seafood section?! really?!), I just can't imagine that they can sustain the inventory. But how any retail shop makes it, especially in this environment, is kind of a mystery to me, so I will cross my fingers, shop regularly, and hope for the best.

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  25. Went there today to shop and it is really coming together for the grand opening tomorrow. There is an olive bar and full coffee station as well as gourmet cheeses and I tried some of their gelato (which was very good by the way)! They also had tons of meat and a huge seafood section. They use the same generic and organic brands as Jewel (WIld Harvest). I spoke to the very enthusiastic and nice manager and she encouraged us to spread the word about their opening and I will do just that. In fact I will do all of my shopping there.

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  26. I was there yesterday, too. Prices seem quite good. I was blown away by how good their produce looked in comparison to the Jewel at Montrose. The meat department look fantastic. Honestly, I think I've found my new grocery store. I have the same thoughts about how they can make it, but hopefully they do!

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  27. My husband and I just went here this evening and we were impressed. There was a lot of fresh produce, gelato, smoothies, salad\olive bar and much more. I try to walk to as many things as possible and since this is a lot closer than Jewel I will definitely be a regular here. I truly hope that everyone tries to support a new local business and shop here.

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  28. We feel like we're dreaming having a market on the corner! As a bonus, it's actually really nice and the prices are great, so far. It's definitely our new grocery store, will NOT miss the ghetto Jewel.

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