Eight Food Stores That Inspire Us

At Interact, we have a passion for unique retailers who think outside of the grocery “aisle” When visiting clients all over the country, we make a point to see what’s happening at the local retailers. On numerous occasions these visits have been where we find innovative products and emerging trends. We wanted to share a few of our favorites with you.

Los Angeles, CA – Erewhon “If it’s good for you its here.” This is a promise that Erewhon delivers on. The natural grocer pushes the boundaries with their prepared foods, juices and tonics. Not to mention, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful in navigating the assortment of products.

Brooklyn, NY – Smorgasburg Smorgasburg is the place to be on the weekends in BK. 100 vendors dish out everything from lassi push pops to ramen burgers. You’re sure to see these unique eats end up on restaurant menus or on grocery shelves.

San Francisco, CA – Bi-RiteTruly a neighborhood market, filling the community with “love, passion & integrity.” We’re all about the samples, and the staff at this San Fran staple will let you try anything!

Austin, TX – WheatsvilleThis full service, natural co-op empowers the Austin community. It’s clean and easy to shop, and offers an interesting array of local products. Wheatsville goes above and beyond to fulfill customers’ food requests.Berkeley, CA – Berkeley BowlThis store is massive, and offers a wide selection of products beyond just the natural and local. While you can get anything you’d find at a conventional grocery, it’s also a great place to find rare and off-the-beaten-path items.Portland, OR – New Seasons Market“From Frosted Flakes to free-range chicken,” New Seasons truly is the one-stop neighborhood grocery. The staff is incredibly friendly, and not to mention informed about the sources and harvesting practices of their products.Portland, OR – Zupan’sZupan’s is for food (and wine) lovers. The gourmet market is a Portland favorite. If you ever get the chance, attend the Taste of Zupan’s – their annual holiday tasting event sampling an exceptional array of food and drink.

Denver, CO – Marzcyk Fine FoodsWe get a chance to visit this one a lot, and can definitely speak to its consistency. The food is always fresh and delicious, and the staff always helpful. We love paying a visit to Jimmy, the in-house butcher almost as much as we love the Thursday night wine tastings.

Ann Arbor, MI – Zingerman’s Delicatessen A deli with history, Zingerman’s has been around for over a decade. You know you’re doing something right when Mario Batali calls your deli his “temple of deliciousness.”Interact on Shelf is a design firm that works exclusively with grocery brands.What makes us different is that we study consumer culture, design trends, industry innovation and many other dynamics that shape opportunities for your brand in order to create iconic work that’s designed to sell in a retail environment.If you think you could benefit from partnering with a young, energetic bunch like us, you know what to do. Contact us!