Visual appeal and atmosphere at your favorite food markets - take a pic and share it!

Ever since we started this co-op project, I've become much more investigative and aware of my surroundings every time I shop for food. I take special note of the lighting, the layout, displays, and special offerings, and I store these observations away in my ever-growing cache of "dream store" elements.

Do you do this, too?  If so, take a picture next time you see something you like, and share it!

When I was home for the holidays in Traverse City, Michigan, for example, I shopped at Oryana and the one thing that stood out to me was the friendly sign hanging over the produce section declaring that "children are welcome to eat fruit for free while shopping". I saw a five year-old choose an apple; his mother took it to the grocer, who washed it and handed it back to the boy. Such a beautiful addition to the shopping experience!

Then, I was out on Bainbridge Island to visit my grad school and I saw Real Foods Market. Now, this is a private, family-owned business, not a co-op - but what struck me was how much they do with so little space. The atmosphere is so appealing, the food so attractive...and the retail space is under a thousand square feet!

Look at how they've arranged their little produce section - the cold case is small, and fruits and vegetables are arranged in baskets that look so abundantly full:

And this is the meat and prepared foods department - a single cold case with all local meat, locally processed and packaged, very tidy:

It felt nice to just be in the space. If Ellensburg does indeed open a brick-and-mortar retail space, I would want it to be like this.

:)

J