The new Kirkland Metropolitan Market in Kirkland ROCKS!!! Grand Opening June 3rd, 2010

There are so many unique and fantastic aspects of this new store now under construction until the GRAND OPENING on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 when they will cut the ribbon at 9:00 AM with a full day of exciting events sure to please, with something for everyone!

This is the Metropolitan Market's first Eastside store that is located at 10611 NE 68th Street at 108th Ave NE. It's a 27,500 -square-foot store, and will be open 24 hours!

Personally, I'm very excited about the outdoor patio, with a seperate entrance to run on into get a quick quality cup-of-coffee featuring Caffe Vita coffee and a quick lunch or dinner with top-quality excellent products and a great price point!

They'll have the following other fantastic departments:

A Bakery with Gelatiamo gelato and the largest selection of baked goods from "LOCAL" producers, more than any other supermarket! And flown in from France too!

A Charcuterie - including Salumi salami and local farmstead, and artisan cheeses;

A Deli featuring Met Market's unique selction of ready-to-eat meals, sushi and hand crafted side dishes - (please be sure to thank Paige Lamb - she's the Director of the Deli - the Deli is going to rock!);

A Seafood department featuring seasonal specialities such as Copper River King Salmon, Alaskan King Crab legs and local shellfish flown in daily;

A Wine department that will feature over 1,500 bottles of wine from all over the world and from our own great robust selection of Pacific Northwest wineries (Metropolitan Market won the Seattle Magazine 2010 Reader's choice winner for Grocery Store with Best Selection of Washington Wines). They will also have Wine Stewards to help you navigate through the splendid choices of exquisite wines!;

A Produce department that they promise to showcase with the feel of the Pike Place Market, with top quality, locally grown, seasonal, organic fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs as you walk in the door - just imagine the wonderful smell as you enter the store...;

A Housewares department downstairs lower level, chock full of kitchen tools of the trade and expertly staffed by culinary professionals;

A Wellness department with more than 100 new, food-based, top quality vitamins and supplements;

A Floral Shop offering the widest selection of cut flowers and hand-tied bouquets to suit your special occassion, party or home;

A Meat/Butcher department that you can choose from premium, naturally raised beef including prime, choice, dry-aged and Wagyu - YUM!;

You will be greeted at the Main Entrance by "The Kiosk" with everyday food classes, cooking tips and meal suggestions from Metropolitan Market's Culinary Artists, who will share recipes for you to cook with the specials that they're running in the store - now that's some great customer service! How cool is that!!!

Some of the other very cool things that the great guys (Darrell Vannoy - VP of Sales & Merchandising and Brad Halverson - Vice President, Marketing, tour directors) told me about were, are that they will have many local farmer's that will provide many if not all local/organic products such as, fresh glass bottled milk and fresh bulk eggs brought in twice per week, and they will have many cool and fun events such as the, "PeachoRama" at the end of July that is quite the "Peach" of an event! You can also order specialty pastas, get a "Gelato Cake", and your coffee is brewed by Synesso coffee Artisan machines - a true Barista awaits you!

Metropolitan Market will put the "Extra" in Extraordinary!

They will also have 17 Courtesy Clerks - which they promise will put their all into customer service! Also, if you would like a particular product, you can count on Store Director Jeff Baskett to "find it, and provide it" for you!

Also, Metropolitan Market supports non-profit organizations that are community-specific. For example, the Kirkland store will be supporting its new area partner, Hopelink, based in Redmond, which will be distributing food to the needy. They also support schools and churches through it's "Scrip" program, which yields non-profits a percentage from gift card purchases.

Watch for their "Foodie Finder" van that will be making stops for food treats and other random acts of fooding. For more information follow Metropolitan Market on Twitter @metmarket for poin-by-point updates on now!

Coming Events include:

Opening Day - Thursday, June 3rd at 9:00 AM with the Inaugural Ribbon and Cake Cutting

Grand Opening parties:

Thursday, June 3rd from 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Fridays, June 4th, 11th, and 18th, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Saturdays, June 5th, 12th and 19th, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 to 8:00 PM

Sunday Brunch! Sundays, June 6th and June 13th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Have lunch on Metropolitan Market - Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM;

Dad's Day BBQ - Sunday, June 20th from 12:00 to 6:00 PM - It's all about the thrill of the grill!

Kirkland Guest Chef Series at the "Culinary Kiosk": Monday to Friday, June 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and Saturday, June 26th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 to 6:00 PM!

For more information on this exciting new Metropolitan Market, please visit:

METROPOLITAN-MARKET.com

You guys are in for a treat! Literally. And you won't have to wait too much longer. I had the opportunity to preview the new Metropolitan Market in Houghton the other day and it looks deliciously fantastic. I've got to say, Kirkland, we deserve this. :-)

The old Houghton Market has been remodeled and whipped into 2010 Metropolitan Market shape. When you step into the new 27,500 square foot space you'll first see a kiosk where their culinary artist team will be giving cooking tips, food classes and meal suggestions while featuring seasonal items. From the coffee shop to the seafood to the charcuterie counter (dedicated to salumi salami and artisan cheeses, yum, photo left) and produce, everything at Metropolitan Market has a focus on taste and excellence. There is a mix of organic and conventional, local and international findings, all with one main goal: What TASTES the best? Take for example, their "Peacharama" event at the end of July/early August where they seek out the sweetest tree-ripened hand-picked peaches they can find, some with a brix count up to 22. I need to write that on my calendar. Or the eggs that have been laid just two days ago. Or their exclusive rights on an award-winning New Zealand cheese, custom butcher cuts of beef and even non-homogenized milk in glass jars. There are 1500 wines to choose from, including some Metropolitan Market labeled vinos for around $10.

Concierge service abounds with plenty of staff to help you make culinary decisions in the aisles. There are quick check stands and car-side service (and yes, some parking lot improvements!). And if there's a product you'd like them to bring in that they don't have- no problem, just ask! You can grab one of their famous prime-rib sandwiches and sit at the outdoor patio for your lunch. Or sign-up to use the free community room downstairs and take advantage of the wi-fi. There's even a kitchen shop downstairs.

The Metropolitan Market will be open 24 hours every day. It was really fun meeting some of their leadership team (photo: Mark Takagi/Specialty Sales Director, Darrell Vannoy/VP Sales & Merchandising, Brad Halverson/VP Marketing) . Every person I met was overflowing with smiles and enthusiasm about opening this store in our community. I've honestly never seen people so excited about groceries before. But then I realized, this is clearly not just about groceries, it's a culinary experience.

The inaugural ribbon and cake cutting is June 3rd @ 9am. Then the grand opening parties and events keep on coming: Thurs June 3rd 4-8pm, Fridays June 4,11,18 4-8pm, Saturday June 5,12, 19 11-2 and 4-8. RSVP for the festivities here. If you've been to one of the other 5 Seattle area locations, let us know what you think! And, of course, comment away after the opening too. See you there! ~j

Madrona isn’t the only neighborhood welcoming a warm-weather farmers market today.

At 3pm Kirkland will kick off the Friday Night Market at Juanita Beach, during which over 35 vendors set up shop. Located along the waters of Lake Washington, this one gives Olympic Sculpture

Park ’s upcoming market a run for most picturesque food fair.

In other Kirkland news, Metropolitan Market has announced plans to open a sixth store at 10611 NE 68th Street and 108th Ave NE in the former Houghton Center. The 27,500-square-foot, 24-hour store, Met’s first on the eastside, will open June 3.

Metropolitan Market will celebrate the opening of its new Houghton Center store with plenty of celebration and surprises. Grand opening events include:

Opening Day! June 3, 9 a.m. Inaugural Ribbon and Cake Cutting

Grand opening parties: Thursday, June 3, 4-8 p.m., Fridays, June 4, 11, and 18, 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays, June 5, 12, and 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.

Sunday brunch! June 6 and June 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Have lunch on us! Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 9, 10, 16 and 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dad’s Day BBQ! Sunday, June 20 from noon-6 p.m. All about the thrill of the grill.

Kirkland Guest Chef Series at the Culinary Kiosk: Monday to Friday, June 21 to 25, 5-7 p.m. and Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Plus, starting Sunday, May 16, follow Metropolitan Market on Twitter and watch for the Foodie Finder van to make stops for food treats and other random acts of fooding.

Metropolitan Market tells us that the new 27,500-square-foot store’s signature warm surroundings feature vibrant chalkboard art and soft, spot-lighting. Special to this store are the exposed overhead beams from the original structure, lending artisan character.

Store departments will include:

* A Coffee Shop featuring Caffe Vita coffee

* A Bakery with Gelatiamo gelato and the largest selection of baked goods from local producers, more than any other supermarket

* Charcuterie – including Salumi salami and local, farmstead, and artisan cheeses

* Deli – featuring Met Market’s unique selection of ready-to-eat meals, sushi and hand crafted side dishes

* Seafood – featuring seasonal specialties such as Copper River King salmon, Alaskan King crab legs and local shellfish

* Wine – with wine stewards to help navigate through a robust selection of Pacific Northwest wine; Metropolitan Market won the Seattle Magazine 2010 Readers’ Choice Winner for Grocery Store with Best Selection of Washington Wine

* Produce – showcasing top quality, locally grown, seasonal, organic fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs

* Housewares – Metropolitan Market’s biggest housewares department to date on a dedicated lower level, chock full of kitchen tools of the trade and expertly staffed by culinary professionals

* Wellness – with more than 100 new, food-based, top quality vitamins and supplements

* Floral Shop-- offering the widest selection of cut flowers and hand-tied bouquets to suit

* The Kiosk – with everyday food classes, cooking tips and meal suggestions from Metropolitan Market’s Culinary Artists

* Meat – Choose from premium, naturally raised beef including prime, choice, dry-aged, and Wagyu

In addition, the store has a community conference room which Kirkland residents can reserve for nonprofit and civic uses.

The store is located at 10611 N.E. 68th St. and will be open 24 hours.

By Rose Egge

Metropolitan Market will open the doors to its first Eastside store in Kirkland’s recently remodeled Houghton Center, located at 10611 N.E. 68th Street at 108th Ave N.E., on June 3.

The 27,500-square-foot store has been completely remodeled to the caliber of its other five, full-service supermarkets throughout Seattle and Tacoma. The store will be open 24 hours.

“Eastsiders have been clamoring for many years to have their own Metropolitan Market,” said Metropolitan Market Chief Executive Officer Terry Halverson. “We believe Kirkland will appreciate our offering of quality, local, natural and organic items right alongside everyday groceries, and we’re working hard to make sure our store caters to the specific tastes of Eastsiders.”

The company will staff the store with more than 120 full- and part-time team members, many of whom are seasoned Metropolitan Market employees. Store Director Jeff Baskett and Assistant Store Director Tom Stark oversee the team and all store operations.

Departments will include:

* A coffee shop featuring Caffe Vita coffee

* A bakery with Gelatiamo gelato and the largest selection of baked goods from local producers, more than any other supermarket

* Charcuterie – including Salumi salami and local, farmstead, and artisan cheeses

* Deli – featuring Met Market’s unique selection of ready-to-eat meals, sushi and hand crafted side dishes

* Seafood – featuring seasonal specialties such as Copper River King salmon, Alaskan King crab legs and local shellfish

* Wine – with wine stewards to help navigate through a robust selection of Pacific Northwest wine; Metropolitan Market won the Seattle Magazine 2010 Readers’ Choice Winner for Grocery Store with Best Selection of Washington Wine

* Produce – showcasing top quality, locally grown, seasonal, organic fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs

* Housewares – Metropolitan Market’s biggest housewares department to date on a dedicated lower level, chock full of kitchen tools of the trade and expertly staffed by culinary professionals

* Wellness – with more than 100 new, food-based, top quality vitamins and supplements

* Floral Shop-- offering the widest selection of cut flowers and hand-tied bouquets to suit

* The Kiosk – with everyday food classes, cooking tips and meal suggestions from Metropolitan Market’s Culinary Artists

* Meat – Choose from premium, naturally raised beef including prime, choice, dry-aged, and Wagyu

In addition, the store has a community conference room that Kirkland residents can reserve for non profit and civic uses.

The store’s signature warm surroundings feature vibrant chalkboard art and soft, spot-lighting. For the Kirkland project in particular, Metropolitan Market also exposed the original structure’s overhead beams to lend artisan character.

Contributors to the store’s creation include GGLO Architecture of Seattle, Commercial Design Systems of Tualatin Ore., Phillips Enterprises of Seattle, and Woodman Construction of Bellevue.

Metropolitan Market supports non profit organizations that are community-specific. For example, the Kirkland store will be supporting its new area partner, Hopelink, which will be to distributing food to the needy. Metropolitan Market also supports schools and churches through its Scrip program, which yields non profits a percentage from gift card purchases.

In the weeks approaching the store opening, a special community treat awaits: watch for our Foodie Finder van making stops for food treats and other random acts of fooding. For more information, follow Metropolitan Market on Twitter (@metmarket) for point by point updates starting Sunday, May 16.

During its first three weeks of June, as part of its grand opening celebrations, more than 250 demonstrations with well known food producers, experts and local chefs will happen in-store. Check http://Metropolitan-Market.com for updates.

Events include:

* Opening Day! 9 a.m. Thursday, June 3. Inaugural Ribbon and Cake Cutting

Grand opening parties:

* Thursday, June 3, 4-8 p.m.

* Fridays, June 4, 11, and 18, 4-8 p.m.

* Saturdays, June 5, 12, and 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.

Sunday brunch!

* Sundays, June 6 and June 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Have lunch on us! Come discover all of our lunch time offerings.

* Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 9, 10, 16 and 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dad’s Day BBQ!

* Sunday, June 20 from noon-6 p.m. All about the thrill of the grill.

Kirkland Guest Chef Series at the Culinary Kiosk:

* Monday to Friday, June 21 to 25, 5-7 p.m.

* Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.

On June 3, Metropolitan Market will open the doors to its first Eastside store in Kirkland’s recently remodeled Houghton Center, located at 10611 NE 68th Street at 108th Ave NE. The 27,500-square-foot store has been completely remodeled to the caliber of its other five, full-service supermarkets throughout Seattle and Tacoma. The store will be open 24 hours.

“Eastsiders have been clamoring for many years to have their own Metropolitan Market,” said Metropolitan Market Chief Executive Officer Terry Halverson. “We believe Kirkland will appreciate our offering of quality, local, natural and organic items right alongside everyday groceries, and we’re working hard to make sure our store caters to the specific tastes of Eastsiders.”

The company will staff the store with more than 120 full- and part-time team members, many of whom are seasoned Metropolitan Market employees. Store Director Jeff Baskett and Assistant Store Director Tom Stark oversee the team and all store operations.

Departments will include:

* A Coffee Shop featuring Caffe Vita coffee

* A Bakery with Gelatiamo gelato and the largest selection of baked goods from local producers, more than any other supermarket

* Charcuterie – including Salumi salami and local, farmstead, and artisan cheeses

* Deli – featuring Met Market’s unique selection of ready-to-eat meals, sushi and hand crafted side dishes

* Seafood – featuring seasonal specialties such as Copper River King salmon, Alaskan King crab legs and local shellfish

* Wine – with wine stewards to help navigate through a robust selection of Pacific Northwest wine; Metropolitan Market won the Seattle Magazine 2010 Readers’ Choice Winner for Grocery Store with Best Selection of Washington Wine

* Produce – showcasing top quality, locally grown, seasonal, organic fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs

* Housewares – Metropolitan Market’s biggest housewares department to date on a dedicated lower level, chock full of kitchen tools of the trade and expertly staffed by culinary professionals

* Wellness – with more than 100 new, food-based, top quality vitamins and supplements

* Floral Shop– offering the widest selection of cut flowers and hand-tied bouquets to suit

* The Kiosk – with everyday food classes, cooking tips and meal suggestions from Metropolitan Market’s Culinary Artists

* Meat – Choose from premium, naturally raised beef including prime, choice, dry-aged, and Wagyu

In addition, the store has a community conference room which Kirkland residents can reserve for non profit and civic uses.

-more-

The store’s signature warm surroundings feature vibrant chalkboard art and soft, spot-lighting. For the Kirkland project in particular, Metropolitan Market also exposed the original structure’s overhead beams to lend artisan character.

Contributors to the store’s creation include GGLO Architecture of Seattle, Commercial Design Systems of Tualatin Ore., Phillips Enterprises of Seattle, and Woodman Construction of Bellevue, Wash.

Metropolitan Market supports non profit organizations that are community-specific. For example, the Kirkland store will be supporting its new area partner, Hopelink, based in Redmond, which will be to distributing food to the needy. Metropolitan Market also supports schools and churches through its Scrip program, which yields non profits a percentage from gift card purchases.

In the weeks approaching the store opening, a special community treat awaits: watch for our Foodie Finder van making stops for food treats and other random acts of fooding. For more information follow Metropolitan Market on Twitter (@metmarket) for point by point updates starting Sunday, May 16.

During its first three weeks of June, as part of its grand opening celebrations, more than 250 demonstrations with well known food producers, experts and local chefs will happen in-store. Check http://Metropolitan-Market.com for updates.

Events include:

* Opening Day! Thursday, June 3, 9 a.m. Inaugural Ribbon and Cake Cutting

Grand opening parties:

* Thursday, June 3, 4-8 p.m.

* Fridays, June 4, 11, and 18, 4-8 p.m.

* Saturdays, June 5, 12, and 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.

Sunday brunch!

* Sundays, June 6 and June 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Have lunch on us! Come discover all of our lunch time offerings.

* Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 9, 10, 16 and 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dad’s Day BBQ!

* Sunday, June 20 from noon-6 p.m. All about the thrill of the grill.

Kirkland Guest Chef Series at the Culinary Kiosk:

* Monday to Friday, June 21 to 25, 5-7 p.m.

* Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Metropolitan Market, your locally owned and operated grocer since 1971, brings together fresh, local, organic, and hard-to-find foods, and everyday groceries throughout its six convenient locations including, Queen Anne, Uptown, Admiral, Sandpoint, Kirkland and Proctor. Learn more about Metropolitan Market at www.metropolitan-market.com.