“This is a game changer. It ushers in a new era for urban living,” said Matt Miller, a pioneer of downtown development.
Miller, developer of Founders Park Lofts, Wilhoit Plaza, Six23 Condos, Walnut Alley and Walnut Quads, was amazed at the opening weekend of Price Cutter’s Bistro Market. He, and thousands of fellow customers who flocked to the store, discovered a completely new shopping experience for Springfield.
What strikes you immediately upon entering is this is not your grandma’s supermarket. It has a Starbucks, a gelato counter, a 48-foot food bar, grab-n-go meals inspired by chef James Clary, a made-to-order grill, full-service bar, floral section, local organic produce, bulk foods, a meat and seafood counter, extensive wine and cheese selections, and even a machine that will make peanut butter right before your eyes.
Price Cutter and Pyramid Foods CEO Erick Taylor and project architect Alan Bates of Bates & Associates traveled the country to study urban markets.
They visited Cosentino’s in the Kansas City Power & Light District, Culinaria in downtown St. Louis, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and stores in Boston and New York. They hired a consultant from Minneapolis to study the Springfield market and provide a feasibility study. The 18 months of research paid off.
Just like Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan scouting the opposing pitchers, Taylor and Bates hit a home run out of the park. They went beyond good food to creating an experience.
Don’t come to the Bistro Market if you don’t want to be seen. Put on a decent shirt and comb your hair, because chances are good you will see someone you know.
The market will remind you of going to First Friday Art Walk and Artsfest in the amount of social interaction it creates with its outdoor patio, the counters facing South Avenue and the highly visible seating right on the corner of South and Walnut.
For years, Staxx, Maria’s, Bruno’s and Mudhouse anchored the center of downtown activity at this intersection. However, the addition of Hollywood Theaters, two parking garages and Park Central Library started to pull the nexus to the northwest. The Bistro Market squarely returns the epicenter of downtown to South and Walnut.
One of the best things about the urban grocer from a retail perspective is almost all its customers will leave carrying Bistro Market bags. It visually reinforces shopping as a core downtown activity and increases the likelihood of stopping by nearby stores to see what they have to offer.
With Price Cutter making the commitment to keep its prices the same as its other area stores, it also reinforces center city as a good value. Buying local doesn’t have to cost more.
One of the most frequent comments heard during opening weekend was how the market exceeded shoppers’ expectations.
The upscale products and services, remarkable cleanliness, historic building and contagious buzz left its patrons impressed by Price Cutter and optimistic about downtown’s future. Similar to feelings about Hammons Field and Jordan Valley Park, there is civic pride that the Ozarks can now boast of an urban market of this caliber.
Price Cutter plans to roll out new amenities and enhancements in the coming weeks. The public has welcomed the new store with open arms, and market officials have committed to working hard to keep them coming back.
The excitement of the Bistro Market, combined with City Council’s unanimous approval of the Heer’s term sheet and the record enrollments from Missouri State University, Drury University and Ozarks Technical Community College, should attract new entrepreneurs and investment to downtown.
Rusty Worley, executive director of Urban Districts Alliance, can be reached at rusty@itsalldowntown.com.[[In-content Ad]]
