New Specialty Grocer Opens in Philly Burbs

LANSDALE, Pa. - Joe Grasso, a Philadelphia entrepreneur and real estate developer, cut the ribbon on a new specialty gourmet store in this suburban Philadelphia community here that offers gourmet fare and is one of the first grocery stores to sell beer.

Vidalia Marketplace, a new specialty gourmet food market offering fresh produce, seafood, meats, and premium takeout, also offers and microbrews and imported beer, as one of the first grocery store in Pennsylvania to do so.

All beer purchases must be made through a designated register, and customers 27 years of age and younger must provide a valid photo identification for beer purchases, the grocer said.

"In essence, we have reinvented the specialty food market by creating a unique shopping experience that is both convenient and upscale," said Grasso. "Vidalia Marketplace features the finest organic and all-natural foods, as well as prepared meals for eat-in or take-out."

Grasso is c.e.o. and chairman of GM Suburban Development, the developer of The Pavilion Center where Vidalia Marketplace is located. He is also chairman and c.e.o. of Walnut Street Capital, which recently acquired The Curtis Center and The Public Ledger Building directly across from Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Anchoring the newly redeveloped Pavilion Center in Lansdale, PA, the new 27,000-square-foot store offers its own brand of all-natural packaged goods, as well as premium-positioned foods and beers at everyday prices.

"This area of Montgomery County had been the home to some of the most service-oriented family owned grocery stores in the country," said Grasso. "Local shoppers were accustomed to great quality and service. We think there's now an opportunity to move into this market, emulate and extend the level of service and quality shoppers had once known and still demand. Vidalia Marketplace builds on the hallmarks of freshness and quality while serving customers on a personal level. We are committed to doing things differently to better serve smart, local shoppers."
X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds