Take a mental cruise down the Belt Highway.How many restaurants do you pass? I don’t know the exact number, but it’s somewhere in the ballpark of a bunch.
Then consider how many grocery stores you pass. Significantly fewer, certainly less than 10.
Much has been made about the surge of restaurants, with people arguing that the city has too many places to go for dinner and some arguing there’s not enough.
I wonder, however, if the greatest potential for grabbing a portion of St. Joe’s food dollar is in the grocery aisle.
As capitalists, Americans have always been fond of competition. As food prices escalate, many residents are beginning to think a little competition might be a good thing for supermarkets.
A new store couldn’t wipe out the impact of $3.45 gasoline for foods shipped in from around the world, but another option might take the edge off.
The St. Joseph Hy-Vee must be one of the busiest stores in the entire city, achieving success with nary a TIF district or incentive package. Plenty of people predicted the upscale store, with its exotic olive bar and organic section, would never fly in down-home St. Joe. I’d say they’ve been proven wrong.
Wal-Mart has made a gigantic footprint with its everything-under-one-roof approach to retail. Other stores such as Price Chopper and Aldi appeal to shoppers looking for the lowest price.
But still, it seems like a niche is waiting to be filled. Perhaps the northeast portion of St. Joseph, growing rapidly and home to all things new, would be the most likely spot. The roads may not be equipped to handle school traffic, but where there’s profit potential, there’s a way for corporate executives. Tuscany Village’s initial business plan didn’t include a supermarket, but with easy interstate access, perhaps it should.
For awhile, The Commons on South 169 Highway was said to be a prime spot for a grocery store. Menards is known for its creative approach to low-price retail and it’s possible the store could add food offerings.
Kovac’s and Green Hills have devoted followings in neighborhood stores. Is either store considering a move to the Belt in a big way?
Food price inflation has made consumers pay more attention to their purchases. Higher prices at the pump could make them more particular about how far and how often they drive to shop. I expect more families to shift their food dollars away from carry-out and toward home-cooked meals.
We’ll be watching what happens to the supermarket market in St. Joseph.
