Inside Albertsons’ Massive New Market Street Store

With a mission to encourage shoppers to “Eat Life Up,” Albertsons Cos. in early March opened the doors of its Market Street store in Meridian, Idaho, marking the second location of the retailer’s food-focused banner. The location at 3499 E. Fairview Ave. is Albertsons’ largest store to date at nearly 110,000 square feet, including 83,000 square feet of retail space.

Boasting creative, culinary in-store experiences and wellness expertise, Albertsons’s Meridian store expands on the Market Street concept that debuted in Boise, Idaho, in July, offering an assortment of fresh, local and ready-to-eat items as well as social offerings.

“It truly is a dazzling store, staffed with culinary and health and wellness professionals who will ignite our customers’ passion for great food, promote healthy choices and delight shoppers every time they visit,” John Colgrove, Albertsons Intermountain division president, said in a statement.

Touted as a community destination, the new Albertsons Market Street will feature cooking classes, catering services and an in-store bar, Talon Tap & Spirits, which features a lengthy list of beer, wine and liquor, as well as live music on the weekends.

“With deep roots in Idaho, we are passionate about being good neighbors and helping our fellow Idahoans,” Kathy Holland, communications and public relations for Albertsons Intermountain division, told WGB. “We know that the Meridian community is full of families looking to explore new options for meal ideas, as well as ways to feed their family a delicious meal when they are limited on time. This is a place for families to come shopping together, or to visit our bar for date night or to meet up with friends for a drink and a bite to eat.”

The store’s expanded in-store food court features an array of restaurant-style meals created by in-store chefs for shoppers to take to go or enjoy at the store’s full-service bistro. Offerings include made-to-order sandwiches, an in-store grill with signature burgers, wood-fire pizza, made-to-order salads and a hot food station with Albertsons’ signature fried chicken and freshly carved meats.

The store also includes a sausage shop featuring fresh-made sausages as well as an assortment of fresh seafood offerings, such as a life lobster tank, a caviar bar and an oyster bar.

Offering shoppers a taste of authentic, cultural cuisine, the store also features an Asian food section with hot items, rice bows and sushi made in-house daily, as well as a taco bar serving up freshly made tortillas and a gyro bar.

Among the store’s unique highlights is its glass-enclosed walk-in wine cellar, boasting the largest wine selection in Idaho, featuring varieties from national and international regions as well as a large selection of local Idaho wines.

To satisfy shoppers’ sweet (or salty) tooth, the store staffs a chocolatier, hand-making chocolate bark and chocolate-dipped pretzels, as well as freshly popped Nuts on Clark popcorn.

The center store offers an array of gluten-free, meatless and plant-based products, plus a large assortment of international food items with eye-catching signage and a wide variety of local Idaho products. In addition, the store offers an expanded baby section, including baby clothes and toys, as well as an expanded pet section with pet medicines, toys and accessories.

The produce department is stocked with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, freshly squeeze juices, and local, organic and exotic varieties, while the floral department offers full-service catering, custom gift baskets, an exclusive line of home decor and a staff of award-winning designers.

Additional fresh offerings include fresh-made deli salads, a scratch-made bakery featuring made-in-house bread, pastries and cakes, and a full-service butcher counter.

“This store is a destination food getaway featuring all things fresh and local,” Holland said. “On a mission to ignite Idahoan’s appetite for the delicious, we will inspire you with new flavors and recipes through our regular tastings and demos.”