Kowalski's Markets, Woodbury, Minn., recently announced plans to remodel its Grand Ave. store to give it more of a European market feel. With the new design, the company plans to enhance its in-store bakery's bread line, add more produce and add a pasta and salad bar. The company has eight stores in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and is known for its bakery departments, which specialize in artisan breads, upscale desserts and pastries. The stores also feature cake decorating stations where decorators work in front of customers.
Kowalski's central bakery manufactures most of its products with some products produced from scratch/mix or finished in its in-store bakeries. According to a report in the Pioneer Press, Kris Kowalski Christiansen, C.O.O., said the move towards a European street market design is in response to customer purchasing habits, which seem to mirror those of traditional Europeans who shop more often and buy for individual meals. Once the new format is tested, the company plans to roll out the design in its other locations.