When you’re shopping for groceries or just need to pop in for a couple quick necessities, there’s nothing like the customer service and comfortable feel of a local market. They may not always have everything you’re looking for, but most are happy to order it for you. It’s this kind of service that elevates the local market shopping experience. And these are our favorite places to find it.
Len’s Family Foods calls itself “the biggest little store” in the St. Croix Valley. For it’s size, its selection is impressive. Their produce is fresh and the meat counter is one of the area’s best—even when compared to big-box chains. Len’s stocks plenty of local brands and even offers delivery services.
Based in Ely, Zup’s has expanded its brand of service-oriented, smalltown market to a few other communities on the northern Iron Range, including Tower, Babbitt, Cook, and Silver Bay. Renowned for their housemade sausage, Zup’s has been a Northland fixture since 1916.
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Driskill’s Downtown Market, as you might guess, is located in the heart of Hopkins’ business district. For more than three decades, residents of this bedroom community on the west side of the Metro have relied on Driskill’s for their deep selection, awesome deli, scratch bakery, and meats smoked on the premises. Exceptional customer service keeps folks coming back for more.
In Duluth, folks in the UMD/St. Scholastica neighborhood have long relied on Mount Royal Market for their grocery needs. More than 30 years of superior service, along with an upscale feel that includes amenities like a coffee shop and fresh sushi, have kept the store’s customers happy.
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Oxendale’s Market has two locations: One in West St. Paul and one in South Minneapolis. True neighborhood groceries, locals flock to these markets for excellent service and a well-curated selection of products that often includes locally-sourced goods whenever possible.
In Red Wing, shoppers have loved the small-town, neighborhood atmosphere of Buchanan Grocery since 1923. Housemade deli items, like their renowned potato salad, as well as fresh, high-quality meat and produce keep a steady flow of customers coming through the door. Service touches like special ordering and in-home delivery keep them happy.
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For 40 years, this family-owned “full size full service” grocery store has been feeding the folks of Grand Marais. Gene’s maintains the hometown neighborliness and customer service you’d expect in a local market, all while boasting the size of a chain store.
Silver Lake Foods is Downtown Rochester’s family-owned, full-service market. Excellent, personalized service, along with a wide selection of quality meats, produce, and deli items have satisfied customers for years. They even offer local delivery service for a small fee but with no minimum order.
Shoppers in the Chisago Lakes Area will find incredible service and a great selection at Brink’s Market in Chisago City. This independent, family-owned market dates back to 1919. Since then, they’ve been wowing customers with their top-notch bakery and deli, gourmet house-label products, and services like delivery and carry out.
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