Guide to Minneapolis Grocery and Specialty Retailers

by Trax and Foodbevy

August 6, 2023

Minneapolis boasts a diverse population that embraces a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. With an emphasis on supporting local businesses and a growing interest in organic, natural, and ethically-sourced products, the city’s residents actively seek out unique and high-quality CPG offerings. 

Not only does Minneapolis have an appreciative customer base, but it is also home to a thriving network of farmers’ markets, co-ops, specialty grocery stores, and national supermarket chains. The abundance of retail options ensures that CPG products have ample shelf space and visibility, providing an excellent chance for brands to gain exposure and build a loyal customer following.

In this guide, I’ll take you on a journey through Minneapolis, exploring the best grocery stores as recommended by other CPG founders. So, let’s delve into the opportunities that Minneapolis has to offer!

SPONSOR: This article was written in partnership with Trax Retail . As your brand grows in retail, there comes a point when you can no longer manage how your products are showing up on shelf, if at all. Trax has a suite of merchandising services so you can make sure your product correctly shows up at retailers and sells off the shelf.

Grocery

(Photo: Donald E.)

Lunds & Byerlys

Lunds & Byerlys is a local family-owned company that operates 27 Lunds & Byerlys grocery stores throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding area. The company’s extended family of employees is committed to providing every customer with a sensational shopping experience.

Highlights:

  • Cashiers are always friendly and welcoming.
  • Pharmacy provides a small-town feeling and personalized service.
  • Liquor store is small and attentive, offering surprises and essentials.
  • Store has a walk-in fridge for cold items and is convenient.
  • The store is best suited for those who know what they want.
  • It has a great selection of cheese, fresh meat, and vegetables.
  • Sushi specials are available on Wednesdays, and the staff is incredibly friendly.
  • The atmosphere of the store is a mix of high-end foods and familiar favorites.
  • The store offers unique and tasty seasonings, samples, and a great fresh bread collection.
  • They accept Apple Pay and have self-checkout options.

(Photo: Kowalski’s Lyndale Market)

Kowalski's Lyndale Market

Kowalski’s Markets is committed to bringing its customers an environment that wraps itself around them from the moment they walk into the market until they leave the parking lot. The company strives to provide a warm, intimate shopping experience, complete with a friendly staff ready to answer any questions and assist in carrying groceries to their cars.

Highlights:

  • Offers a wide selection of beverages and snacks.
  • Quaint and smaller store with a pleasant atmosphere.
  • Knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, especially in the cheese and meat sections.
  • Outstanding customer service and helpful staff.
  • Fresh produce, meat, bakery, and prepared foods.
  • The store has undergone renovations to improve the flow of the produce section.
  • The store manager and team provide excellent assistance and support to customers.
  • Parking is generally not a problem.
  • A great place to get inspired if you’re bored with your current menu.
Jerry food

(Photo: Jim L.)

Jerry's Foods

Jerry’s Foods has a unique commitment to its customers and a strong history of excellence. For over 70 years, the company has been a neighbor, serving the purposeful, family-focused, and smart shoppers. The customers are Jerry’s Foods’ top priority, and its friendly staff works hard to ensure their shopping experience is exceptional. The food market is determined to deliver quality perishables, convenience, competitive pricing, and an authentic neighborhood experience. Jerry’s Foods makes it easy for shoppers to shop local, eat healthy, go organic, and enjoy fresh food!

Highlights:

  • Items are easy to find, and if not, there are helpful staffers ready to assist.
  • The store is well-stocked with a variety of tasty treats, including lovely produce, cold health beverages, and ready-made options.
  • The store has a classy atmosphere and is located in a classy neighborhood with ample parking.
  • There is a large sitting area with a view of the parking lot and a fireplace in the dining area.
  • Jerry’s is about a mile away from the reviewer’s house with top-notch service and selection.
  • Prices may be slightly higher than some other grocery stores, but the focus is on quality.
  • The store has great hours and offers self-checkout.
  • The seafood area has a wide selection of fresh and unique fish, and there is a great bakery.
  • There is a post office area with papers and tobacco products.
  • The store has a large produce section and a build-your-own salad bar.

(Photo: Lakewinds Food Co-op)

Lakewinds Food Co-op

Lakewinds Food Co-op in Richfield is known for being full of unique, locally made, organic, sustainably grown and raised food. It offers a wide range of products, from local, organic vegetables to rotationally grazed, local meat. The co-op also prides itself on providing clean skin care options and scratch-made deli meals and sides. It offers a diverse selection of food and products that nourish its customers. 

Highlights:

  • The co-op is clean, well-lighted, well-stocked, and beautifully organized.
  • They offer a phenomenal selection of products, including vibrant produce, dairy, dairy alternatives, and an extensive bulk spice selection.
  • The store provides snack-sized portions of local cheeses and offers helpful and positive customer service.
  • The produce selection is fresh and high-quality, and the displays are well-maintained.
  • They offer many great organic products without unhealthy additives.
  • They have occasional sales, and co-op members can get discounts.
  • Seniors get a discount on Tuesdays, and Wellness Wednesday offers discounts on body care and supplements.

(Photo: Donald E.)

Coborn's Marketplace

Coborn’s Marketplace is a fast-growing employee-owned grocery retailer located throughout the Midwest. They offer unique online grocery home delivery services through their Coborns Delivers and Cash Wise Delivers locations.

Highlights:

  • Coborns offers a selection of high-quality chicken from their marketplace. 
  • They have a specialized area for chopping up veggies or fruit, a deli for fresh food, and a bakery with sugary treats.
  • The meat department offers a variety of options and there is also a sushi department available.
  • The store’s cleanliness and location next to the highway make it convenient for customers.
  • Coborns offers fresh meat and produce, which sets them apart from larger competitors.
  • They have customer service representatives to help with groceries and offer sushi, video/DVD/game rentals  and Caribou coffee within the premises.
Seward Community Co-op

(Photo: Donald E.)

Seward Community Co-op

Seward Co-op is a member-owned natural foods grocery store and deli. It offers high-quality, local, and organic products at its LEED gold level-certified building. 

Highlights:

  • Seward Co-op prides itself on its in-house meat and seafood department, sourcing 100% of its meat from local farms.
  • The deli offers a variety of options, including hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as fresh sandwiches, smoothies, coffee, and baked goods to go.
  • Customers have the opportunity to sign up for cooking and wellness classes, which are held in the store’s upstairs classroom. There are also film screenings and discussions on consumer issues.
  • Seward Co-op offers a diverse shopping experience with its large bulk goods department and wellness items.
  • The store is known for its commitment to catering to various dietary needs and preferences, providing plenty of gluten-free and vegan options.
  • Being a consumer-owned co-op, Seward Co-op emphasizes community involvement and cooperation.
  • The store is known for carrying a vegan-sugar free dessert made by Luv’s Brand.
  • The produce is always top-tier and fresh, and they often offer more unique and unusual items.
  • The staff is diverse, and the customer base includes people of various backgrounds and demographics.
  • The store offers an impressive selection of groceries, including well-organized bulk items.
Valley Natural Foods

(Photo: 45 North Group)

Valley Natural Foods

Valley Natural Foods makes eating responsibly—and truly local—easy. Committed to healthy choices since 1977, the company has become experts at the sustainable practices and conscious/inspirational/educational programs it takes for shoppers, member-owners, and food growers and providers in their community to eat and live well together. 

Highlights:

  • It is located in Burnsville and offers a Farm to Table program.
  • The store has a variety of items for self-care and overall health needs.
  • The outdoor area of the store is charming and inviting..
  • They offers a soup bar with bone broth and various savory enhancers.
  • Some soups are undersalted, catering to individuals with sodium limitations.
  • The salad bar is serviceable with a good selection of veggies.
  • The store offers organic produce and caters to health-conscious consumers.
  • The store has a classroom area for seating and a large potted ficus.
  • The prices are reasonable.
  • The staff is supportive and friendlier compared to big-box groceries.

National Chains

 

(Photo: Steve C.)

Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole
Foods Market is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods, the first national “Certified
Organic” grocer, and uniquely positioned as America’s Healthiest Grocery Store™

Highlights:

  • Excellent customer service who went above and beyond to assist and provide helpful recommendations.
  • Whole Foods offers a wide selection of quality items, although it may be more expensive compared to some other stores.
  • Friendly staff and mostly well-stocked shelves, but occasional issues with keeping certain items like Black Forest Bacon in stock.
  • Convenient parking options, including free parking in the ramp and accessibility to public transportation.
  • Whole Foods provides a diverse range of products, including alcohol, produce, bulk bins, snacks, baking ingredients, and specialty diet foods.
  • The store has various pros, such as food sampling, a bulk section, outdoor picnic tables with great views, a liquor store, cheese shop, and a burrito bar in the hot foods area.

(Photo: Mark D.)

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is a neighborhood grocery store with amazing food and drink from around the globe and around the corner. Great quality at great prices. That’s what we call value.

Highlights:

  • Store is impressive, similar to Fresh Thyme, offering fresh items and unique natural brands at reasonable prices.
  • They have a well-stocked selection of creative juices and mostly gluten-free chips, avoiding typical convenience store junk food.
  • Employees are quick and cautious in their movements, indicating a concern about their jobs.
  • The checkouts were busy, and the management responded swiftly to open an additional lane.
  • Store offers a wide selection of veggies and fruit but lacks a variety of deli-style grab-and-go items.
  • Provides validated parking for up to 1 hour in a covered lot.
  • The freezer section offers a fantastic selection of comfort food, and the produce is also highlighted for its quality.
  • Prices at Trader Joe’s are incredible, and many customers save money.
  • The store is well-maintained, providing an enjoyable shopping experience.
  • The location is convenient for those who rely on public transportation, with easy access to buses.

(Photo: Donald E.)

Cub Foods

Cub is Minnesota’s hometown grocery store, committed to offering the best produce, a full selection of meat and seafood, deli and bakery favorites, pet food. It operates stores in Minnesota and Illinois.

Highlights: 

  • Pleasant grocery store for price/value, location, and customer service.
  • Well managed and helpful employees.
  • Quick check out process.
  • Ample inventory of sale items with rain checks offered.
  • Good variety of products, including beautiful produce and a great selection of fresh fish.
  • Huge Asian foods selection and delicious takeout sushi.
  • Amazing produce section and a great deli section with quality meats.
  • Friendly and well-trained cashiers who love coupons and help customers save.
Hy-Vee grocery

(Photo: The Packer)

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Its slogan, “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle,” expresses the foundation of the company’s operating philosophy

Highlights:

  • Impressive produce and bakery sections, particularly the yule logs.
  • Pleased with the ice cream and dairy-alternative sections.
  • Hy-Vee perks and gas points program.
  • Have variety of items, including meats, bakery items, housewares, clothing, and desserts.
  • Nice layout, spacious aisles, and helpful staff.
  • Found Greek Mizithra cheese, which is not easy to find in other stores.
  • Clothing section are carefully selected and variety of sharp-looking items.

Specialty storeS

Seasoned Specialty Food Market

(Photo: Seasoned Specialty Food Market)

Seasoned Specialty Foods

Seasoned Specialty Food Market is a Specialty Grocery that promotes local foods and supports small-batch food makers to enter and thrive in the marketplace. Their experience lies in working with makers of color and women-owned food businesses. They have a unique approach of giving these food entrepreneurs 100% of the proceeds from their food sales, which sets them apart from others. This is made possible through their engagement with community retail channels.

Highlights:

  • The market offers a diverse shopping experience, combining elements of a farmer’s market, foodie gift shop, and small-scale but fully stocked grocery store.
  • The menu includes freshly made sandwiches, salads, and soups.
  • Lunch box catering for group meetings is available on a daily basis.
  • The market also offers thoughtfully curated gift boxes suitable for various occasions, such as corporate gifts for clients, employee meetings, retreats, and personal celebrations.
zipps liquors store

(Photo: Zipps Liquors)

Zipps Liquors

Zipps Liquors specializes in kegs, craft beer, interesting spirits, and a large wine selection. The store is now offering curbside pickup, available for call-in orders only. Customers will receive instructions over the phone.

Highlights:

  • Fantastic selection of beer and spirits, ranging from macros to hard-to-find beers.
  • Top-notch whiskey picks and a wide range of import beers available.
  • Knowledgeable and helpful staff always ready with good suggestions.
  • Loyalty program with points for purchases to get free stuff.
  • Great for kegs or hard-to-find items.
  • Offers a rewards program requiring no customer effort.
  • They have a $5 expired beer bucket with a choose-your-own-six-pack option.
  • Tastings are free, informative, and friendly, making it a highlight of a night out.

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