Thompson Hospitality Corp., Herndon, Va., recently completed its purchase of Marvelous Market, a gourmet food chain known for high-quality bakery products.

Thompson plans to expand the six company-owned stores and will increase national franchising efforts. Marvelous Market currently has nine locations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and expects to grow to more than 50 units by 2010, according to a company release.

Often referred to as a “mini Whole Foods,” the 18-year-old company specializes in producing artisan breads, pastries and desserts created fresh, from scratch daily in a central bakery. Local chefs also prepare gourmet entrees, soups, salads, sandwiches and spreads.

Marvelous Market combines quality with convenience by offering self-service items. Customers do not have to wait for food to be cooked, assembled and packaged. Virtually all of the products are packaged and specifically designed for easy, on-the-go shopping.

About a year ago, the company debuted a new design to its stores with a new logo and in-store signage. At that time, Neil Neufeld also was tapped as Marvelous Market's new vice president, operations. A veteran of gourmet foods markets, Neufeld has experience at Balducci's, HEB's Central Markets and EatZi's, all of which focus on quality bakeries and home meal solutions.