Don’t worry South Granvillians – Linda Meinhardt has no plans to close her 11-year-old gourmet grocery store on South Granville or its neighbouring deli-eatery Picnic…. yet. But this July the family-owned business will open a 15,000 square foot store in Kits at Arbutus and 16th Avenue (next to the Ridge Theatre) with 31-year-old Michael Meinhardt as GM.
Commuter-customers will have the choice of 36 prepared meals to take home — and 140 stalls to park in. “The deli and kitchen is the engine room of our business,” Michael said. Nodding, Linda added: “The entire profit is on that side.”
Cook-at-homes will be served by a first-time in-store butcher with doubled display cases, and even a Reinhardt stainless-steel cookware line produced by Finland’s Iittala outfit.
Also new will be Meinhardt sauces, dips, condiments, jams, breads, cakes, pies, chocolates, sweets and the like — even a lifestyles-and-recipes-themed $60 Meinhardt coffee-table book and store-ground coffee — roasted by JJ Bean chain owner John Neate — to go with it. Meanwhile, bottled still waters will be dumped in favour of a single brand from Pemberton branded — you guessed it — Meinhardt.
Apparently Arbutus rent is half what it is on Granville Street and Meinhardt’s existing lease converts to market rent in 2012 which is presently in the $80-per-square-foot range. Ouch.
Last modified: April 18, 2008
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