Michele R.
Yelp
That I make the trek from Eagle to Boise to shop at this huge store (6500SF) is because the good things in place when the store opened in July 2018 get better all the time. As a shopper who eschews processed foods and celebrates organic, sustainable, local and artisan products and who prefers smaller retailers over bigger ones, I'm more a fit for the CoOp ("my PEEPS" I said when joining soon after moving here) with Whole Foods fallback. But a decline in service at both of those others, with indifferent service in some specialty sections, leads me to this Market Street by Albertson's flagship more often.
PS in advance - the Meridian location for Market Street opens 03/09/19.
And a NOTE - Reviews prior to 7/20/18 are for old store across the parking lot. It was knocked down and this one built as flagship for Albertson's new concept Market Street. Only reviews from July 2018 apply here.
"WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU..." as the tune lyric goes...
*CUSTOMER FOCUSED STAFF - The people who work here are a big part of why it is special. They seem proud of the store and happy you came in to shop. They are eager to assist customers. It makes you want to buy and go back to buy again when treated as if your business matters. "What can I help you with today?" or "Thanks for shopping with us, we hope you'll come back." Well done.
*CONTINUALLY EXPANDING LINES OF PRODUCTS WE USE -
--CHEESE: This has surpassed any local retailer for the best cheese selection in the area with choices including artisan domestic makers and imported and with good price points. There is an olive and condimenti bar that is always sparkling clean. The nice guy who manages this section is an expert. Some counter staff appear to be students and that they are well trained in customer service is delightful.
--PRODUCE - We wish more of it was organic but they seem to be adding more of those options all the time. And at all times all of the produce, conventional and organic, looks well stocked, well tended and fresh. We have given up on WF for produce these days and the CoOp will still be our produce 'go to' given focus on organic and local, but this store is a worthy second.
--BAKERY - They are making artisan looking breads which are not the true-Euro-artisan quality of local bakers Gaston's or Acme (neither sold here) but still good. But now that neither CoOp nor WF is carrying Big Wood Breads (out of Ketchum so almost local), if you're looking for that baker's product, you'll find it here.
--SEAFOOD - Shellfish and bivalves including a couple of kinds of oysters, clams, mussels and line caught wild fresh fish as well as previously frozen in sparkling clean counter with very friendly and knowledgeable counter to assist. Only WF tops them.
--BUTCHER SECTION - Some interesting options, like fresh local Kurobata pork short ribs and frozen hand cut wild boat stew meat, as well as 'the usual suspects' across the animal proteins spectrum. We don't eat a lot of "from two or four legs" proteins and we're choosy when we do eat them. WF or independent butcher Choice Cuts (in Meridian) are our 'go to' outside of Farmer's Market season, but this is a top notch contender for selection and knowledgeable and friendly people at the counter.
--SPECIALTY GOODS ON WELL STOCKED SHELVES - Wide, well lit aisles with what seems like hundred of miles of very well stocked shelves with a gazillion products from mundane to specialty like Boise's Basque Market section that includes their jamon in a refrigerated case. They seem to be continually adding local sourced product and stock some of our harder to find favorites like
...Mutti brand Italian cherry tomatoes in cans
...Rao's pasta sauces (if you don't have time to make your own, these are as good as Nonna's kitchen)
...Rancho Gordo dried beans (out of Napa) as well as Zursun (ID)
...Willamette Valley Fruit Growers (OR) frozen Marionberry pie (this is SO good) and
...Fabbri brand Italian Amarena cherries.
*OTHER INTERESTING 'STUFF':
--CONVENIENCE EATS: A full Starbuck's, a custom burger station, sandwich station, hot food bar and salad bar that always seem well stocked and well tended with fresh product, in house made pizza by whole or slice. (And at only $7.50 for a 10" pizza that easily feeds two, what a good buy!) And all around more friendly "how can I help you" staff.
--BAR: A cocktail - beer - wine bar in a market is something I do not 'get' but there it is on the second floor for folks who want it and it seems darned popular, in particular given proximity to Boise State. Food is served in bar too or you can cart your food up from convenience 'take out' in store to eat it there. Great views and a fireplace too.
--ACCESSIBLITY: ADA compliant for parking and inside. Including gender neutral loo on first floor (but all of which have non ADA compliant too heavy doors - alas) and 'boy or girl' set up on second floor near bar.