A "Fresh" Take on Groceries

ATHENS, Ga.-- Specialty foods store, the Fresh Market, opened its doors in Athens Wednesday. Filled with neatly displayed produce stands, uniformed staff, and early morning shoppers, the Beechwood location offers an array of produce, baked goods, meats, deli salads, and in-house sushi bar.
      The store opened to mixed crowd of Athenians and area college students interested in sampling the store's variety of foods offered around its perimeter. The first 1,000 visitors received a complimentary tote bag filled with samples of gourmet coffee and jelly beans, and had the chance to enter into a $100 gift card give away. Yet while these handouts were welcomed by all, the store is more renowned for its large base of local vendors.
     "We have 50 to 100 locals vendors," said the new store's bulk manager.
     The Fresh Market prides itself on being more akin to a European-style marketplace with its emphasis on fresh ingredients and service-oriented staff.
      With such a "fresh" outlook on the traditional grocery format, the new location impressed customers at its opening to the point of speechlessness, "Wow!" exclaimed 19-year-old University of Georgia student Mason Burril.
      The Fresh Market is now open in the Beechwood shopping place in the old Borders location.