This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Harmons Grocery Stores is opening the remodeled Emigration Market at 1706 E. 1300 South in Salt Lake City.
Atop the landmark store, in operation since the 1940s, are the same big red letters spelling out its longtime name.
"It'll always be Emigration Market," said Harmons CEO and President Dean Peterson. "But inside, people will know this is a Harmons store."
The market will carry Harmons' signature artisan breads, pastries, organic produce, fresh sushi, chef-prepared delicatessen fare and made-from-scratch cookies.
The 10,000-square-foot location is much smaller than the chain's average supermarket, which is nearly seven times the size. But with 9,000 grocery items stocked on well-lighted shelves, the market seems much bigger. Selections aren't as numerous as at Harmons' 14 other locations, but shoppers can still find, say, 30 different varieties of mustard.
Harmons took advantage of all available space, creating more room for groceries than longtime Emigration Market shoppers may remember. For instance, there's a bigger, 32-foot long produce department and a custom meat counter with mini dry-age beef curing unit and fresh seafood. Overhead lighting and a tongue-and-groove oak ceiling seem to broaden the aisles below. Windows abound on the west side of the store, with automatic shading that's triggered by the sun.
Grocery prices are the same as at other Harmons stores, but Emigration Market will have its own sales, which will be for items carried only at that store or for smaller, specialty purchases. Shoppers may review market ads on the Internet at HarmonsGrocery.com.
The Utah-based chain built the store with the neighborhood in mind.
The location has bike parking, a bistro eating area inside with Wi-Fi and a patio on the north side where special events can be staged.
Customers may purchase for $44.99 two-wheeled Hook and Go carts, designed for urban shoppers. Each cart has eight hooks to carry shopping bags, weighing up to 70 pounds, and a rubber stopper to keep it upright. The devices can be folded for easy storage.
In-store artist Taylor Hellewell has designed colorful, fanciful signs that add a distinctive touch. The signs are important, said Harmons Chief Operating Officer Mark Jensen, "because food is an art form."
Outside, dog lovers will be able to leash pets beneath a large English oak tree, or give their pets a drink from a foot-operated watering station.
The chain also built a wall surrounding the back of the property and resurfaced a 21-stall parking lot. To keep the neighborhood clear of abandoned carts, grocery basket wheels lock if pushed beyond the store perimeter.
The store employs 60 associates, including four people who worked at the market before Harmons purchased it from former owner J.T. Martin. The store director is 34-year veteran Rae Tafoya, who has managed Harmons' Ogden, Roy and West Valley City stores.
Emigration Market is Harmons' 15th location, behind Farmington's Station Park, which opened May 2. Harmon's City Creek store in downtown Salt Lake City is set to open in spring 2012. The chain also has plans to build a store in the Santa Clara area of southern Utah.
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Emigration Market
P Where • 1706 E. 1300 South, Salt Lake City.
When • Grand opening: 9 a.m., Wednesday.
Hours • 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Events • 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, selling brats, burgers, hot dogs, drinks and chips; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, locals-only vendors fair with free Cafe Ibis coffee and samples.
Information • Visit HarmonsGrocery.com.