It was nine days before Mill Creek Central Market store was set to open its doors, and there was a lot of work remaining to get ready for business.
Several non-perishable items were already on the shelves Monday, Sept. 20, but much of the outlet appeared to be in an incomplete state. Work crews milled about, installing fixtures, shelving and other store elements. Not a single cash register had been installed. Asphalt was still being laid near the parking lot.
Nonetheless, those associated with the Mill Creek Central Market insist the store will be ready for its announced opening, which is 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29.
To accomplish that, department managers and some crew members are working without days off, said store director Jim Huffman, who is coming from the Central Market location in Shoreline to manage the Mill Creek location. It will be the first Snohomish County store for Central Market’s parent company, Bainbridge Island-based Town &Country Markets, Inc.
“We’re getting a lot of work done after 3 (in the afternoon), after the construction crews leave,” Huffman said Monday during an advance tour of the store for The Enterprise.
The 56,000-square-foot store will be the largest tenant in Mill Creek Town Center to open its doors so far, and the store is one of the development’s anchor tenants, along with University Book Store and LA Fitness.
Already four grocery stores are located within a two-mile radius of Central Market, but those associated with the store say they are unlike the established grocery operators in the area.
For starters, nearly half the store – 25,000 square feet on the store’s east side – is being devoted to produce, meat and seafood, what Huffman called “the center of the plate.”
“The other side of the store complements this,” he said.
Touches include several water tanks for lobster, crabs and possibly live fish. The meat area will even have a glass-enclosed aged beef case.
“We’re trying something new,” Huffman said.
A cooking kiosk is located in the center of the department, and will feature daily cooking demonstrations, as well as meal recipes.
“We’ll constantly have someone doing quick, simple meals,” Huffman said.
The cooking kiosk will also have a flat-screen TV showing videos of people cooking, said Ron Nakata, director of retail operations for Town &Country Markets.
The produce area will aim to replicate a farmers market, with merchandise stacked on wood pallets, and decorative awnings adorning the walls. Also, the prep area for the produce department will be open to the retail sales floor.
Another difference is an emphasis on organic merchandise. During the tour, many shelves were already stocked with organic merchandise, and Joe Palicicchio, the store’s produce specialist, said that approximately 30 percent of produce sales will likely be organic produce.
The store also features a lot of natural light, with skylights in the main grocery area, and garage-style doors that will be left open during good weather.
The floral department will be open to the outside, right at the front of the store, and right near the corrugated steel replication of a grain silo, which is being used for cart storage.
A large wine and beer selection will also be stocked. The store will have its own wine cellar, and aims to stock 2,000 different wines and 800 different beers from around the world.
“If it’s good, we’re gonna have it,” said Joby Sewell, the store’s wine manager.
Other touches include an Asian foods section with sushi bar, a bulk foods area with 500 different items, from candy to grains and cereals, a hot foods prep area in the deli area, a side dish bar, soup, chowder, pasta, salad and antipasto bars. The store will also feature a walk-around meat and cheese counter.
“There won’t be stuff sitting under heat lamps,” Huffman said.
Still other touches include a bakery department featuring locally made and artisan breads and a computerized kiosk where customers can order cakes. In addition, the store will have an outdoor seating and dining area on the store’s west end.
Approximately 30 percent of the store’s work force is transferring from other stores in the company, Huffman said.
“We’ve got a good core staff who knows what our philosophy is,” Huffman said.
One touch that employees will like is a large break room and large office spaces for management.
“It’s a Cadillac store,” Huffman said.
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