The long-awaited Culinaria: A Schnucks Market will begin welcoming customers immediately after tomorrow’s 9 a.m. ribbon cutting. The 27,000-square-foot store — the grocery chain’s ninth store within the city limits — will offer standard grocery departments, plus a full-service pharmacy and a large prepared foods section. Stop by the corner of Ninth and Olive streets to browse the aisles.
Then on Wednesday, don’t be alarmed to find the doors at City Grocers locked. The urban market is shuttering temporarily to transform itself into City Gourmet, reported catering manager Karen Leverenz. In a mere five days, the store will freshen up its space at 920 Olive St. and take its focus from grocery to prepared foods, adding stir-fry and burrito bars, an expanded beer and wine selection, and a catering menu of boxed lunches and party platters, among other features. (The store’s existing carryout, bakery and deli departments will remain.) Check out City Gourmet’s offerings for yourself when it reopens on Aug. 18.
Not to be left out of the flurry of grocery-related activity, Benton Park will also soon be home to a new market. Pointer’s Market, located at 2901 Salena St., will offer everyday grocery essentials, including dairy, meat and produce departments, which will include local products. A small deli will offer carryout foods and sandwiches. Owners Elizabeth and Matt Pointer plan to launch their 12,000-square-foot store in about two weeks.
This article appears in Aug 1-31, 2009.