Coborn's unveils 'next generation' store

Meet the Marketplace

In August, Coborn’s opened what it calls a “next generation” Marketplace store in Isanti, Minn., that emphasizes fresh departments and an industrial design.

New features at the 45,000-square-foot store include “The Kitchen,” a prepared foods area serving made-to-order brick-oven pizza, sandwiches, and grab-and-go meals; an in-house smoker in the Meat Market; and cut produce on demand at the Chop Shoppe.

“We are a company that is constantly striving to appeal to the changing needs of our guests,” Chris Coborn, chairman, president and CEO of Coborn’s, said in a press release. “We are excited to bring this new next generation Coborn’s store to the community of Isanti and to the surrounding area.”

A cut above

The expanded selection in the Farmer’s Market produce department includes hundreds of organic produce items, as well as the Chop Shoppe.

“Our Chop Shoppe is one of my personal favorites,” said store director Mary Kruck.

“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 takes it to our Chop Shoppe staffers who chop, slice, dice or julienne them to the guests’ preference.”

Fresh from the oven

The Bake Shoppe offers Coborn’s signature items like fresh-baked rolls, breads, muffins, cookies, bars, pies and custom cakes. Spinning cupcakes and a giant mixer are part of the décor.

The 'wow' factor

“I think that our guests will be just as excited about this store as we are,” said Coborn. “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.”

Say 'moo'

The Isanti County Milk & Dairy department highlights the area’s dairy farming industry and features a talking cow.