Coborn’s Opens ‘Next-Generation’ Supermarket Focused On Fresh
Coborn mascot Moo Bell with Chris, Mabel, Dan and Emily Coborn.
Coborn’s Inc. recently opened a “next-generation” supermarket in Isanti, Minnesota. It is a first-of-its-kind store format with a significant focus on fresh selections and an updated modern industrial design.
“We are a company that is constantly striving to appeal to the changing needs of our guests,” said Chris Coborn, chairman, president and CEO of Coborn’s Inc. “We are excited to bring this new next-generation Coborn’s store to the community of Isanti and to the surrounding area. I think that our guests will be just as excited about this store as we are. It definitely has a ‘wow’ factor about it. The presentation of fresh foods and the significant variety and assortment we’ve built into this store is impressive.
“We want guests to feel eager to come to our store and view it as a well-rounded experience rather than just a routine trip to the grocery store,” Coborn added. “The store really focuses on our fresh, perimeter departments, yet has all the everyday essential grocery items that any guest routinely shops for at a grocery store.”
Mary Kruck, store director, said her favorite feature is the Chop Shoppe.
“It’s like having your own personal chef, making preparation of fruits and veggies so easy. Our guests select their fruits and vegetables from our Farmer’s Market produce department, then take them to our Chop Shoppe, where staffers chop, slice, dice or julienne them to the guests’ preference. Guests can even customize their assortment of produce items for a recipe or simply pick up an already prepared selection. We’re all about convenience.”
The 45,000-s.f. supermarket with an additional upper-level mezzanine and community room features an entirely new interior and exterior design concept with boutique-style destinations located throughout the store to showcase the fresh departments. The store’s focal point includes a new centerpiece deli area called “The Kitchen,” serving made-to-order entrees that are packaged in-store for pick-up and quick at-home preparation. It also offers brick-oven fired pizza, sandwiches and other grab-and-go breakfast, lunch and dinner options in addition to a soup and full salad bar.
The enhancements at Coborn’s Marketplace also include the Isanti Meat Market, featuring a 65-foot service meat case—the largest in the company—with an assortment of fresh Certified Hereford Beef selections.
There also is an expanded “Simply Natural” Meat selection consisting of Full Circle grass-fed beef and pork, Just Bare poultry and grass-fed bison, lamb and veal. All these protein items are “Never Ever,” meaning they will never be administered antibiotics or given added hormones.
With a new in-house pit master and smoker, shoppers can choose from a variety of prepared smoked ribs, chicken, sausage and brisket options. There also are more than a dozen varieties of Four Brothers Signature Smoked sausage varieties.
Other new offerings include:
• Sushi options from Sushi Kabar that are prepared fresh daily.
• A separate “Flavors of the World” cheese case featuring a variety of domestic and international cheeses.
• The Isanti County Milk and Dairy department featuring fresh dairy products, complete with a talking cow and a red barn that pays homage to Isanti County’s dairy farming industry.
• An in-store Caribou Coffee shop with in-store seating and a drive-thru.
• Click and Collect online shopping.
• Expanded offerings in the Fisherman’s Warf seafood department.
• Meals-in-minutes entrees, including marinated beef, beef patties, pork and poultry, kabobs and brats.
The new store is located at 209 6th Avenue NE in Isanti.
St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Coborn’s is a 95-year-old employee-owned grocery retailer with approximately 8,000 employees and 55 stores in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin operating under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods and Save-A-Lot banners.
Coborn’s Inc. also owns CobornsDelivers, an online grocery ordering and home delivery service; and stand-alone convenience, liquor and pharmacy locations. To support its 120 retail locations, Coborn’s operates its own central bakery, gluten-free bakery, dry cleaning facility and grocery distribution center.
