The Shelby Report was on hand as Northgate González Market celebrated the grand opening of Mercado González La Habra, marking the transformation of one of the company’s longest-standing neighborhood stores into a culinary and cultural destination inspired by the traditional mercados found throughout Mexico, as the grocer describes it.
The Mercado González format blends everyday grocery shopping with authentic Mexican food, artisan goods and gathering spaces, while expanding the fresh groceries, meats, produce and authentic ingredients. More than 340 associates work at the La Habra Mercado, which features colorful murals, Mexican architectural elements and culinary puestos, or food stalls. The mural above the deli case, for instance, depicts the small Mexican town where the González family lived prior to immigrating to the U.S.
The grocer selected one of its top-performing grocery locations for the new Mercado González concept store. On Thursday, Oct. 22, the company held its official grand opening ceremony on the open-air patio adjacent to the store. Dignitaries from the city council welcomed the new format and presented family members with welcome plaques. Organizations were on hand to receive donations totaling $20,000…