Two Snowy Days

The snow has tested my faith lately -- like everyone else.

Last Saturday, we were excited to open and be there for the community. (We had so much fun with our neighbors when we opened for the snow storm in December). Unfortunately, when we unlocked the doors, we found that our deli case had died. We lost all of Amy's beautiful food as well as our deli meats and cheeses. We spent the morning cleaning out, throwing out and washing, as well as climbing the icy, snow-covered roof and begging the refrigeration service people for help.

I'm sure you know that every dollar is critical for a small start up and this made my eyes well up a little bit. The sting was worse because a couple customers came in looking forward to our deli selection. We had to explain that there just wasn't any turkey to slice. I was disappointed to hear exasperated sighs and grumbling. And then, I listened to our one phone message. A woman who started out sounding sweet and kind, "Hi, I'm calling to see if you are open today. I'm really disappointed if you aren't...," At this point, I felt needed and appreciated but then my mood quickly darkened, "because you SHOULD be here to support the community." CLICK!

Not "I hope you and your staff are safe in this state of emergency." Not "Oh darn. Maybe next time?" Honestly, it was at best: insensitive, at worst: plain nasty.

These are the exact moments that feel the most bleak. I felt like closing right away and calling it quits -- I'll admit.

I am lucky though because the staff of GFM is amazing, supportive and upbeat when faced with obstacles. Amy came in early Sunday and began cooking again. Quincy came in early (on his day off) and got the refrigeration tech to come in and fix the case. Everyone used humor to cheer me out of the depths of despair and we are moving onward.

So, this morning at 6:30 am I was feeling anxious and slightly traumatized about today's storm. But, we opened. Anne and Makinlee, both locals, walked in. Tracy & Amy volunteered to come too! Luckily, the cases were humming away beautifully. We shoveled and the neighbors came. Rosy cheeked, they thanked us for being open. They laughed with us and they made me feel a part of a community again.

And I remembered again why I started this crazy venture.

Thank you!

Happy New Year!

This year, I'm trying to keep my New Year's Resolution list small and manageable.

1. Build upon our local commitment.  Part of our business plan is to make Chestnut Hill greener and a closer-knit community.  We want to expand our local vendor list, we want to encourage more walk-in traffic, we want to support local charities and community building organizations.  This will be a fun task!

2. Expand our "well-stocked pantry" selection.  GFM is all about the quick convenience of a little of everything.  We see the occasional holes on our shelves and dream of what fabulousness should go there.  Very soon, we will expand our allergy, diet-restriction and special needs section into its own department!  We are expanding our own frozen foods line of ready-made meals and desserts.  We are growing our conventional and affordable selections in each category so there is a little something for everyone at prices everyone can afford.

3. Stress less and appreciate more.  A new business has a lot of challenges, flaws, opportunities and uncertainties.  They can become overwhelming at times.  I want to roll with the punches more and take more time to celebrate the successes, however small, with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.

We hope that Good Food Market can help you reach and achieve your New Year's Resolutions as a local resource with healthy food choices, green products, and neighbors who care.

Here's to a joyful, healthy and happy 2010!

Jennifer

Feature in PhillyMag's Restaurant Club

Check out Good Food Market in the most recent installment of Philly Mag's blog, Restaurant Club! We're featured in a story called "Philly's New Breed of Gourmet Market," along with Green Aisle Grocery in South Philly, as an example of new trend in grocery markets--specialty stores which stock everyday items, typically picked up on a run to the grocery store, as well as tasty imported cheese, gourmet jams and chutneys, and produce from local farms. Thanks a million to Ashley Primis, food editor at PhillyMag for this great story!

Dinner Ideas

Dinner on your mind? Chef Amy just dropped off her debut batch of oh-so-delicious lightly sauced barbecue pulled chicken--grab a bag of rolls, and some greens for a salad and have tonight's meal ready in minutes.

Busy day? Also consider picking up tonight's Table for Two, a complete, delicious dinner for two hungry folks for only $20:

2 turkey shepards pies
1 large kale salad with currants and pine nuts
1 container of homemade apple sauce
2 dinner rolls

or

2 portabello mushroom caps, stuffed with local spinach and goat's milk feta
1 large kale salad with currants and pine nuts
1 container of homemade apple sauce
1/2 baguette

If you're in a real hurry, call ahead, pay by phone and we'll bring your dinner to your car!*

*help us be a good neighbor and find a legal parking spot...just tell us where you are and we'll find you!

Table for Two at Good Food Market

What's for dinner tonight? If this question plagues you, have no fear--Good Food Market is launching a brand new "Table for Two" dinner deal! For only $20 you'll get a complete, delicious dinner for two hungry people, bagged and ready for you to grab and go. Tonight's combos are:

2 Chicken Pot Pies, made by our fabulous Chef Amy
1 lb. of homemade apple sauce
1 bag of Gourmet Lettuce Mix from local Landisdale Farms
1/2 baguette

~or~

2 servings of Martin's Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Pasta, by Chef Amy
1 bag of Gourmet Lettuce Mix from local Landisdale Farms
1/2 lb. Amy's Sauteed Swiss Chard
1/2 baguette

Swing by on your way home tonight!

We would like to invite you to our Grand Opening!

We are very excited to roll out the red carpet and invite you to join us for a month of festivities celebrating our Grand Opening. We have lined up a star-studded array of our finest purveyors, some fantastic musicians and even a cookbook author to tempt your taste buds, expand your mind and rejuvenate your spirits at the beginning of this glorious holiday season. Check back here for frequent additions!
Good Food Market Grand Opening Schedule:
Saturday Nov. 14
Meet Amy, our Good Food Market Chef! (2-3pm)
As seen on Channel 10, come meet the star behind our prepared food showcase. Ask Amy Kunkle questions about holiday catering as well as the challenges of cooking for people with allergies and dietary restrictions.

Everrich Farms (2pm)
Come hear from local farmer Jesse Howe and sample delicious products from his farm in Cedars, PA

DiBruno Brothers
(Saturday & Sunday Nov 15th , 11-4)
Italian imports, cheeses and other delicacies is here for demos and samples!

Monday Nov. 16
Amy's Organics (noon-2pm)
Come and sample new products from Good Food Market’s distributor of natural, organic grocery items. Rumor has it they’ll be sampling pizza and cake!

Saturday Nov. 21
Open House Weekend
The Painted Truffle
Local award-winning chocolatier, Tom Sciascia, of the Painted Truffle presents his beautiful confections and offers a cooking demonstration of his luscious caramels. Come learn how his truffles are made and pick up some treats for your next holiday get-together!

Michelle Lordi (3:30 - 6:30pm)
Listen to the beautiful jazz melodies of local singer/songwriter, Michelle Lordi.

DiBruno Brothers
Theme: Antipasti. Philadelphia’s premier distributor of Italian imports, cheeses and other delicacies returns for more demos and samples!

Bell and Evans
Since 1890, Bell & Evans of Lancaster, PA has been family owned and committed to raising quality chickens in a minimal stress environment with all-natural diets and no antibiotics. Come learn the difference that socially-responsible businesses can make!

Sunday Nov. 22
Open House Weekend Continues
Meet Leslie, the Good Food Market's Pastry Chef!
Chestnut Hill resident and award-winning pastry chef, Leslie McLaughlin will showcase some of her most decadent desserts just in time for the holidays!

Saturday Nov. 28
DiBruno Brothers
Philadelphia’s premier distributor of Italian imports, cheeses and other delicacies returns for more demos and samples!

Saturday Dec. 5
Gesine Bullock-Prado, author of Confections of a Closet Master Baker
Gesine Bullock-Prado, author of the acclaimed memoir Confections of a Closet Master Baker, will be reading selections from her new book and signing copies with some tempting lovelies to whet your appetite!

For more information, please contact Hilary Merzbacher at Good Food Market at 215-242-0716 or hilary@goodfoodmarket.net

We Need Your Help!

Opening is almost here and we can’t wait.

But we need your help! We’re in the final stages of our long quest to obtain the variance that will allow us to serve you freshly brewed coffee, homemade soups, and made-to-order sandwiches.If you support Good Food Market in our effort to bring you these treats, please let your voice be heard—e-mail us a letter of support, including your name and address to info@goodfoodmarket.net!