Plum Market Bakes Up Something Special with Zingerman’s® Community of Businesses
New Full-Service Grocery Store in Old Town First to Carry Zingerman’s “Bakehouse” Breads & Pastries

Chicago, IL (May 1, 2013) – Plum Market®, Old Town’s newest neighborhood grocer for natural, organic, local and specialty items, plans to bring a little piece of home to its newest location in Chicago – namely, Zingerman’s® Community of Businesses (ZCoB).

Known well for delivering fresh breads and pastries to retailers across Michigan, Zingerman’s Bakehouse is an energetic group of dedicated bakers committed to making and selling the best-tasting, traditionally made breads and pastries. The Company purposefully limits their distribution to retailers within driving distance of its Ann Arbor headquarters. Although the Company sells individual products out of state, their decision to partner with Plum Market in its new Chicago location, was based on Plum Market’s dedication to carry high-quality products.

“Plum asked us to come with them, and after in-depth discussions about how this could work and still maintain the quality of our traditionally-made breads and pastries, we agreed,” said Amy Emberling, a Zingerman’s Bakehouse Managing Partner.

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Zingerman’s to Chicago and committed to providing guests with the best local offerings,” said Matt Jonna, President & Co-Founder, Plum Market. “99% of our baked goods are made locally and delivered fresh daily.”

In addition to Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Plum Market Old Town Chicago will offer:Zingerman’s Creamery, specializing in traditional fresh, soft-ripened and raw cheeses, including the Company’s critically acclaimed Real Cream Cheese and award-winning hand-made gelato and sorbets
Zingerman’s Candy Manufactory, including their signature Zzang! ® Candy Bars: Zzang!® Original, Ca$hew Cow™, Wowza™ and What the Fudge? ®, as well as its hand made peanut brittle, fudge and special holiday treats

Along with full-service grocery accommodations and a high-quality selection of product at competitive prices, Plum Market features a vast eat-in and carryout assortment of foods made fresh daily. The store’s beverage program will feature ongoing educational tasting events in its wine bar and an extensive selection of domestic and imported craft beers, premium and hard-to-find spirits and popular and boutique wines. The store also features an apothecary that houses a huge selection of vitamins and supplements, housewares, Green Living products, and all natural body care.

The new store is located at 1233 N. Wells Street in Old Town and officially opens to the public on June 13. Daily hours are from 8:00am – 10:00pm. Guests have access to free parking.

For more information, visit www.plummarket.com join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/PlumMarketChicago and follow us @PlumMarket on twitter. 

About Plum Market®
Plum Market® offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste. The company is a privately owned company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest. The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

About Zingerman’s® Community of Businesses
The Zingerman’s Community of Businesses (ZCoB) is a family of eight businesses all located in the Ann Arbor area and reflects the novel strategy for business growth created by Zingerman’s Deli founders Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig in 1982. Rather than replicating their deli through the franchise model, Paul and Ari instead chose to develop new, independent businesses, all rooted in the local community that work together as one organization. Each business is operated by one or more managing partners who share ownership and put their particular expertise to work in the day-to-day running of their business. The idea for the ZCoB was laid out in Zingerman’s 2009 vision, written by Ari and Paul in 1994 and highlighted in Bo Burlingham’s 2003 article for Inc. Magazine, “The Coolest Small Company in America.” In 2006, the ZCoB managing partners began work on Zingerman’s 2020 vision. It was completed a year later and paints a picture of the ZCoB at the end of the next decade. Zingerman’s 2020 vision was featured in a New York Times article from June 2007, “The Corner Deli that Dared to Break Out of the Neighborhood.”

CONTACT:  Aaron Brost | Ro-Bro Marketing & PR
773.551.5251 | aaron@ro-bro.com

Plum Market Partners with Intelligentsia

Chicago’s Favorite Independent Coffee Bar Sets Up Shop

Within New Grocery Store’s Old Town Location

Chicago, IL (March 13, 2013) – Plum Market®, your neighborhood connection to natural, organic, local and specialty items, is pleased to announce that Intelligentsia will bring its award winning coffees and baristas to the Company’s first Chicago store, located at 1233 North Wells Street in Old Town.

 

The new 1,200 square foot coffee bar, which will be situated adjacent to Plum Market, but independently operated, will open on June 13th – the same day as the grand opening of the new grocery store.  It is the sixth Intelligentsia coffee bar to open in Chicago and one of five of its new retail coffee bars opening this year across the country.

 

"Partnering with Plum Market in the booming Old Town neighborhood was a no-brainer for us," said Rob Buono, president of Intelligentsia.  " We’re thrilled to work alongside a company with premium offerings that’s committed to supporting local businesses."

 

The new coffee shop’s contemporary design plays host to communal seating, a glass coffee bar and tall ceilings allowing for plenty of natural light.  Architecture firm Gensler worked with the team at Intelligentsia to create a comfortable open space where people can enjoy remarkable coffee with minimal fuss.  A custom colored La Marzocco Strada EP espresso machine takes center stage on the glass bar, with a small area for bar service.  Intelligentsia’s renowned portfolio of single origin coffees will be available by batch brew for those wanting great coffee in a hurry, but also by the cup, for those who enjoy the ritual of a more involved brew method.

 

In addition to full-service grocery accommodations, including a high-quality selection of product at competitive prices, Plum Market features a vast eat-in and carryout assortment of foods made fresh daily.  The store’s beverage program will feature ongoing educational tasting events in its wine bar and an extensive selection of domestic and imported craft beers, premium and hard-to-find spirits and popular and boutique wines.

 

Plum Market, which inspires guests to “live well with taste,” is located at 1233 N. Wells St. at Division in Old Town.  The new 27,000 square foot store opens to the public on Thursday, June 13, with daily hours from 8:00am to 10:00pm.  Guests have access to free parking on the second level (validation required).  The Intelligentsia coffee bar, which will have a separate entrance on Wells Street, will be open from 6:00am – 7:00pm daily.

 

About Plum Market®

Plum Market® offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste.  The company is a privately owned company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest.  The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

 

About Intelligentsia

Intelligentsia Coffee sources, roasts and brews specialty coffee from around the world.  The company pioneered the Direct Trade purchasing model and is known for promoting fresh harvested coffee through its In Season program.  Founder and Co-CEO Doug Zell opened the first coffee bar in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in 1995 and has since expanded to Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.  A team of 12 coffee buyers travels throughout the year to visit producer partners at origin and ensure the highest quality raw ingredient.  Every Intelligentsia coffee bar is designed to fit its neighborhood; from the choice of furniture and layout to the coffee equipment and menu design.  The design and execution of these coffee bars has led to Intelligentsia being considered one of the most innovative and premier coffee companies in the world.

For more information, visit www.plummarket.com join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/PlumMarketChicago and follow us @PlumMarket on twitter. 

About Plum Market
Plum Market offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste.  The company is a privately owned company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest.  The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

CONTACT:  Aaron Brost | Ro-Bro Marketing & PR
773.551.5251 | aaron@ro-bro.com

Plum Market Announces Partnership with World-Renowned Chef Takashi Yagihashi

Award-Winning Chef & Restaurateur Will Oversee“Tabo Sushi by Takashi” in New Chicago Store Location

Chicago, IL (February 13, 2013) – Plum Market, Old Town’s neighborhood connection to Natural, Organic, Local, and Specialty items, is proud to announce a partnership with Chef Takashi Yagihashi, who will oversee the new store’s Sushi Kitchen. 

In addition to full-service grocery accommodations, Plum Market features a vast eat-in and carryout assortment of foods made fresh daily in a designated area of the store known as Plum Kitchen.  “Tabo Sushi by Takashi” will make an exciting addition to the store’s offerings, featuring made to order restaurant-caliber cuisine and a variety of sushi rolls and maki, that are perfect for health-conscious foodies on-the-go.  “Tabo” comes from a nickname Takashi had as a “turbo-charged” child.

"We’re very excited to begin working with Plum Market Old Town Chicago upon their opening this June," said Chef Takashi Yagihashi of Takashi and Slurping Turtle.  "Our Housemade sushi will be the perfect choice for locals looking for high-quality, Natural and Organic offerings in their neighborhood."

Chef Yagihashi adds Plum Market to an impressive culinary career.  His experiences have brought him from Japan to Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, and ultimately back to Chicago where he opened Bucktown’s Takashi, Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi, and River North’s Slurping Turtle.  Chef Yagihashi has been recognized by the esteemed James Beard Foundation as well as Gourmet, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Esquire and has received numerous awards including “Best Chef: Midwest,” a three-time Michelin star recipient including the recent 2013 honor for Takashi and a Michelin Bib Gourmet Award for Slurping Turtle.  He also competed on Bravo Top Chef Masters and won the “Fan Favorite” award.

Plum Market is located at 1233 N. Wells St. at Division in Old Town.  The new 27,000 square foot store opens to the public on Thursday, June 13, with daily hours from 8:00am to 10:00pm.  Guests have access to free parking on the second level (validation required).

For more information, visit www.plummarket.com join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/PlumMarketChicago and follow us @PlumMarket on twitter. 

About Plum Market
Plum Market offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste.  The company is a privately owned company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest.  The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

CONTACT:  Aaron Brost | Ro-Bro Marketing & PR
773.551.5251 | aaron@ro-bro.com

Plum Market Announces New Store At ‘1225 Old Town’ In Chicago May 24, 2012 | Innovative Grocery Retailer to Open 27,000 Square Foot Store in ‘1225 Old Town’ Luxury Apartment Development

Chicago, Illinois., – Plum Market announced today that it has signed a lease with Hines, the international real estate firm, for a 27,000 square foot location at 1225 Old Town, a luxury apartment development nearing completion in Chicago.  A Midwest-based company, Plum Market’s first three stores are located in Southeast Michigan. 

“Plum Market is the perfect fit for 1225 Old Town.  It will provide our apartment residents and the entire Old Town community with a truly unique first-class grocery amenity and will further enhance the vitality and convenience of the neighborhood,” says Jim Walsh, Managing Director at Hines.

Plum Market will offer the area a full-service grocery shopping experience with the convenience of a neighborhood market, appealing to a wide range of consumers including the health-conscious and inspired foodies looking for natural, organic, local and specialty products. 

Plum Market partners with the nationally acclaimed Zingerman’s community of businesses—Bakehouse, Creamery, Coffee, and Candy—and with See’s Candies to carry a full selection of chocolate and gifts.  Buyers will also work with Chicago producers and growers to feature local products in each department throughout the store.

About 1225 Old Town
1225 Old Town is an exciting new mixed-use, 16-story development located at 1225 N. Wells Street in Chicago’s beloved Old Town neighborhood.  The building is the first apartment development in Old Town in over twenty years, and is home to 250 luxury apartment residences, with amenities including an 11th floor outdoor pool deck, state-of-the-art fitness center, demonstration kitchen, theatre room, dog run, and more.  Leasing Now!  Visit www.1225oldtown.com for more details.

About Hines
Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in real estate investment, development and property management worldwide.  With offices in 108 cities in 18 countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $22.9 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world.

About the Plum Market
Plum Market offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste.  The company is a privately owned company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest.  The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1997 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

For more information please visit www.plummarket.com. To become a part of the Plum Market community and to receive regular updates, please visit www.facebook.com/PlumMarket and follow @PlumMarket on Twitter.  For press materials, please visit www.plummedia.org/web/mediakit.html. 

Plum Market Corporation, Inc.
Date-5/22/2012 4:12 PM
Contact: Dawn Stowe, Director of Marketing | p: 248.254.1596 | dawn.stowe@plummarket.com