The Fresh Market brings ‘culinary adventure’ to Port St. Lucie, Florida

The Fresh Market on Wednesday opened its first store in Port St. Lucie, Florida, marking its 47th location in the state. The Greensboro, North Carolina-based fresh, natural and organic grocer touted the new location as bringing an “epicurean food experience” to the city, offering a broad assortment of fresh and prepared foods, restaurant-quality meals, and specialty foods and beverages, plus an enhanced wines and spirits section. “We are thrilled to bring The Fresh Market experience to the vibrant community of Port St. Lucie,” CEO Jason Potter said in a statement. “Our team has worked diligently to create a welcoming environment where guests can find the freshest ingredients, exceptional service and unique offerings.”

As at all The Fresh Market locations, the fresh departments form the centerpiece of the 23,424-square-foot Port St. Lucie store, providing a “culinary adventure” for customers.

The grand opening event for the store, located at 10272 SW Meeting St. in Port St. Lucie, didn’t feature the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony …

… but instead held a bread-breaking ceremony. Attendees also were treated to vendor samples, specialty presentations, giveaways and live music from members of the Atlantic Classical Orchestra. The event also featured a $2,000 check presentation to The Treasure Coast Food Bank, and the Port St. Lucie store will be The Fresh Market’s location to provide ongoing weekly food donations to food bank. Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin, Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo, Councilman David Pickett and Councilman Anthony Bonna and members of the Port St. Lucie Police Department also were on hand.

Also at the heart of the store is a  restaurant-style concept dubbed The Square. Providing a “special sensory experience for its guests,” this center-store culinary kitchen offers a made-to-order station with customizable brown rice bowls, salads, sandwiches and chicken tortilla soup with lime crema. Shoppers also can choose from an assortment of fresh hot foods, including smoked salmon, rotating hot sides based on the season, and “some of the best BBQ Port St. Lucie has to offer,” sold by the pound or as a platter, including brisket smoked overnight for at least 12 hours over locally sourced wood, The Fresh Market said. Also available are in-house smoked pulled pork, turkey, St. Louis ribs and smoked pit beans. All items are created with distinct flavors, fresh ingredients, and recipes developed by The Fresh Market, the grocer said.

Procuring “top echelon” choice and prime beef, the store’s butcher shop offers dry aging for preferred cuts. The seafood counter also serves up a selection of whole or fresh-cut fish, shellfish and live lobster, sourced locally and from The Fresh Market’s own fish houses.

Shoppers will find an expanded department for wine, liquor and beer, with a daily deal of 10% off four or more bottles of wine and a “create your own six-pack” for cold beer.

The Fresh Market is known for its fresh fruit and vegetables, including a bounty of organic and locally sourced items.

An array of specialty foods and beverages are highlighted in the Port St. Lucie store, which also features The Fresh Market’s “Coffee by the Cup.” Customers can sample from six of the grocer’s coffees—including from unique and curated flavors, such as seasonal blends—free as they shop or buy their own cup of joe, ground and brewed fresh to order from new bean-to-cup machines. Whole-bean coffees also can be purchased to brew at home. The Fresh Market’s new self-serve, fully automated coffee station also expands its offering to include espresso, lattes, cappuccino, mochas and hot chocolate.

Customers perusing the store’s potpourri of prepared foods also will come upon a “serve yourself” olive bar.

The Fresh Market, too, is known for its high level of service, reflected in its free “The Ultimate Loyalty Experience” customer benefits program. Members receive automatically loaded and curated loyalty offers and digital coupons and can participate in “The Club Hub” purchase frequency programs, in which they earn free items or dollars off favorite products (e.g. cheese and coffee clubs). All members also get a free slice of “Ultimate Birthday Cake” during their birthday month.

With the opening of the Port St. Lucie location, The Fresh Market marked its 161st store in 22 states across the country.