Fresh St. Market, a family-owned British Columbia-based grocery retailer, is set to open its eighth location in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale area at 150 Esplanade West. The new store aims to offer a unique, market-inspired shopping experience, emphasizing local partnerships and sustainability initiatives.
Innovative In-Store Features
The Lower Lonsdale location will introduce several new features designed to enhance the customer experience:
- Burrito Bar: Fresh St. Market’s first-ever Burrito Bar, offering a variety of customizable options.
- Hot Meal Self-Service Bar and Carving Station: Providing ready-to-eat meals for customers seeking convenience without compromising quality.
- Seating Area: A comfortable space for customers to enjoy their food and beverages on-site.
The store’s design reflects the surrounding community, featuring areas such as the “Garden of Lo Lo” (Lower Lonsdale), “Shipyards Housewares,” and “Esplanade Deli,” creating a market-inspired atmosphere.
Commitment to Sustainability and Community
Fresh St. Market has partnered with FoodMesh, a food diversion organization, to redistribute unsalable foods to local hunger-relief organizations. Since their collaboration began in 2020, over 2.3 million meals have been donated, demonstrating the retailer’s dedication to reducing food waste and supporting the community.
Jessica Regan, CEO and Co-Founder of FoodMesh, stated, “This partnership is a true testament to Fresh St. Market’s commitment to keeping its unsold food out of waste streams.”
Locally Sourced and Sustainable Products
The Lower Lonsdale store will offer a variety of locally sourced and sustainable products, including:
- Meats: Fresh poultry from the Fraser Valley, meats from Lepp Farms in Abbotsford, and Two Rivers Meats from North Vancouver.
- Certified Canadian Angus Beef: Featuring cuts aged for a minimum of 50 days.
- Seafood: 100% sustainable options certified by the Ocean Wise program.
- Cheeses: Artisanal selections from Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, Farm House Natural Cheeses, and Creekside Cheese and Creamery.
Coffee enthusiasts can enjoy Whistler’s Forecast Coffee, paired with Fresh St. Market’s signature warm chocolate chip walnut and salted caramel cookies.
Expansion Across British Columbia
Since its inception in 2013, Fresh St. Market has expanded to several locations across British Columbia, including:
- West Vancouver: The flagship store on Marine Drive, opened in 2013.
- Surrey: Two locations in Fleetwood Village and Panorama Village, both opened in 2016.
- Whistler: Situated in Whistler Village North, opened in 2019.
- Vancouver: Located downtown at Vancouver House at Howe and Pacific, opened in 2020.
- Kamloops: Found in Aberdeen Mall, opened in 2020.
- Langley: In Walnut Grove, opened in 2022.
The upcoming Lower Lonsdale store continues this growth, bringing Fresh St. Market’s distinctive offerings to North Vancouver.
About Fresh St. Market
Established in 2013, Fresh St. Market is a family-owned grocery retailer based in British Columbia. The company draws inspiration from top public markets and eateries across North America, offering customers a unique shopping experience that emphasizes fresh, local, and organic products. With a focus on community engagement and sustainability, Fresh St. Market continues to expand its presence across the province, bringing quality food and exceptional service to each new location.
Fresh St. Market is owned by Georgia Main Food Group, a British Columbia-based company that also operates IGA stores in the province. Georgia Main Food Group was established in 2018 as a subsidiary of H.Y. Louie Co. Limited, a family-owned business with a history dating back to 1903.
Related:
- Fresh St. Market Grocery Chain Opening 7th Location in BC with Plans for More [Interview]
- Georgia Main Food Group Launches New Asian Grocery Concept ‘Meiga Supermarket’ [Interview]
