I am privileged to work with two of the best grocers in the world. Booths in the northwest of England, and Sprouts in the US. They are both transforming shopping and markets and are a delight to visit. You should never bring a list. Just forage and discover.
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be taken by Robin and Marline to an amazingly beautiful, exciting store in Victoria, British Columbia. A store that has flipped the model on its head and breaks all the rules. There are no aisles. Just rooms – each featuring its own decor to complement the products being sold. No fluorescent lights, just chandeliers. No shelving, just bespoke antiques. No piped music, just two grand pianos.
The most amazing non-alcoholic beverage room I’ve ever seen. Incredible selections of chocolate and every other delicacy you could imagine. (Even that old public bar staple from my youth, pickled eggs!)
If you can’t get to Victoria, take a look at their on-line catalogue – https://catalog.rttownsend.com/summer-2023/.
We spent a couple of hours there, and came home laden with delicacies from all over the world.
Ain’t life grand?!
