In the coming weeks, Meridian Market—located in Tangletown, across from Zoka and Mighty-O’s—will distribute a notice with customer purchases: Customer headcount has plummeted 40 percent since last year, and the market’s looking for all the help they can get.
Store owner, Wallace “Wally” Wright [Ed note: no relation to the blog] says he’s had no choice but to shorten store hours, cut staff and hold back on products they once carried, leaving some shelves bare. An eccentric, independent neighborhood market, Meridian’s the only one of its kind in Wallingford. With nearby competitors, such as QFC, Trader Joe’s and Safeway, though, it’s entirely reliant upon community support for survival. “We try to maintain lower prices than Whole Foods, but can’t go as low as Safeway,” said financial director Julie Guffey, a three-year employee of Wright’s.
More dire than their attempts to keep costs low for customers is their recent struggle to consistently put products on the shelf. “If we can get our head-count up, we can fill our shelves,” says Wright. He estimates that the market’s chances would improve “if we can get at least 30 percent of the shopping needs of everyone in the community.”
This April will mark their three-year anniversary, although Wright’s hardly new to the small grocery business. Before Meridian, he ran Phinney Market (60th and Phinney) for nearly five years. Wright drew inspiration for the markets from his European travels, as he wished to capture the concept of staying local, gathering in a marketplace daily and interaction amongst community members. The small corner business crams a little bit of everything under their roof. In addition to being a full-service market they offer a deli for eat-in or take-out, tri-weekly family-style meals, twice-a-month wine tastings, local artists’ work, a wine club and have even hosted debate parties. They carry many local and organic products and keep their employees well-versed on the providers. “We try to stay away from the 7-Eleven concept,” said Guffey.
Every Monday night, Meridian features a comfort food special, ranging anywhere from spiral ham with potatoes au gratin to prime rib. Thursdays are made-to-order pasta night, and for weekend outings there’s Saturday morning breakfast, complete with scrambles, omelets, burritos, quiche and a weekly special. In the past month, they’ve spiced up their menu and added some kid-friendly options. For breakfast, you can expect to pay $6-$8 for adults and $4-$5 for kids. Dinner ranges from $8-$10 per adult and $5.99 for kids. Meridian aims to provide competitive prices to restaurants, as well as high-quality, good-sized portions in a family-style setting, says Wright. “[The kids] make messes, but that’s what it’s meant to be,” he says.
Siobhan Cavens lives a block away and has frequented Meridian with her husband and two children since it opened. Last Saturday the whole family came out for the market breakfast. “I’m not going to nickel and dime it here like I would other places,” said Cavens. Admittedly, she says she shops there more often in the summertime when the weather’s nice. Right now, she mostly shops at Whole Foods. “After work, it’s dark, you get home and don’t want to go out,” she said.
Dave and Peppe Enfield run the gamut of weekly market events. They’re always sure to hit up breakfast on the weekends, Wednesday wine tastings and to stop by Monday and Thursday to pick up to-go dinners. “We don’t typically shop in the neighborhood as a society,” says Peppe. “It’s been a lot of fun getting to know people.”
Wright says that he and his co-workers are optimistic, but at the same time realistic. “It’s been a dramatic drop off,” he said. “I don’t know what to expect.”
Want More Info?
- Located at 2201 N 56th St
- Website’s up, but still undergoing some repairs: www.meridianmarket.com
- Store hours: Mon-Thurs, 6am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 6am-10pm; Sun, 7am-9pm
- Mon- comfort food special, 5-8pm; Wed (every other)- wine tastings, 6pm-9pm; Thurs- made-to-order pasta, 5-8pm; Sat- breakfast, 9am-noon
- Upcoming Valentine’s Day wine tasting on 2/10. Just $5 for five tastes!
- To receive e-mails about upcoming events and new products, shoot an e-mail request to Wally directly: [email protected]
that’s sad to hear. Since I am in the southwest part of wallyhood, I don’t think of Tangletown as part of my hood, but would love to have something like it in walking distance. I will probably head up there for a breakfast or dinner now that I know about it. Hope they can hang in there
Extra Credit: Nick Paumgarten has an article on Whole Foods’ CEO John Mackey in the 04 January 2010 New Yorker. It includes coverage of Mackey’s recent op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, “The Whole Foods Alternative to Obamacare.” “The right-wing hippie is a rare bird, and it’s fair to say that most of Whole Foods’ shoppers have trouble conceiving of it. They tend to be of a different stripe, politically and philosophically, and they are were either oblivious or dimly aware of Mackey’s views, until the moment, this summer, when Mackey published an op-ed piece . . . ”
Good luck Meridian Market, I stop by every time I can, happy that the #16 bus runs there.
How sad 🙁
I can sympathize with the difficulties of pricing and stocking at a store of this type, but it’s very difficult to make it a part of my shopping when I can save 50% and find much better selection by going to another store that’s not very far away.
I’m going to make an effort to get in there for breakfast and dinner more often and maybe buy more beer there. I hope the place makes it.
I will buy more there when I can. I make it a habit to get all my last minute shopping and “oops I forgot” done there. I will try to stock up more there. I must think (as I use it too) that AmazonFresh has made a dent in the Meridian Market.
I don’t mean to be rude, but I have found very little value in this place as a grocery store. I found Phinney Market to be similar before its current owners took over.
I do like the Tangletown location’s deli counter, however. Perhaps the owners would be wise to abandon the grocery concept and open a sandwich counter somewhere? This area certainly could use one, especially one that is less sloppy than Paseo. Just a thought IMHO!
I was in Meridian Market last weekend and was disappointed to see their shelves bare of pretty much everything I was looking to buy. If you stock it we will come, otherwise it’s kind of tough…
MM is handy in the neighborhood, and Wally is great. That said, some of the people in the store have been a real turnoff. I don’t expect everyone to be chipper every day, but would it kill some of the staff to learn how to smile? I’m talking about you, management folks. Trust me, we all notice and it does nothing to make us feel welcome. The ladies at the deli counter in the middle of the week are great! Super friendly.
Nonetheless, I hope they can stick around.
I am fairly new to Seattle, and one of the things that I love most about it is the character and charm of the many different neighborhoods. I love that there are very few chain restaurants, but instead, boutiques and stores like Meridian.
Although I admit I don’t do all of my grocery shopping at Meridian, I go there if I just need one or two things as well as every weekday for my morning coffee and perhaps a scone (yum!) or Luna Bar. The girls know me by name as well as my stepdaughter who has taken to coming with me – for the scones mostly, but also because they’re so nice to her.
They always ask me about whatever has been going on lately in my life. They are a constant in my daily routine, and I look forward to connecting with them each morning.
And that is what I love. The local, small town feel found in a big city. It is a treasure to have such places like Meridian, and I would encourage everyone in Tangelown, Green Lake, Wallingford and elsewhere to stop by – for a coffee, a scone, pasta night, groceries or anytime in between. The character, the charm, the people and of course, the store itself would be missed, and as residents of the neighborhood, we should be doing what we can to help keep Meridian in our community! 🙂
http://katovichlaw.com/2009/11/12/how-did-awaken-cafe-raise-start-up-funds-from-its-community/
Creative and effective way of soliciting community investment to resurrect the store.
– Faithful supporter of Meridian Market.
I am a regular customer of MM [that’s Grammar Man and his family in one of the pictures]. I have only experienced very friendly people in the store. We shop there at least once a week — generally for organic milk or last minute veggies.
Come on, people! If we want to enslave ourselves to corporate America, let’s shop at Whole Foods. If we want local businesses and local owners, then stop in to MM this weekend!
I am also a regular customer of the Meridian Market. I think they have a terrific selection of gourmet and specialty items as well as all of the basics. I enjoy stopping in on my way home from work and picking up ingredients for dinner. So much to chose from it is easy to be inspired!
I agree, stop in this weekend and support MM!
I will up my spending there as well to help! I’ve had nothing but friendly experiences also…
hot tip – when zoka is woefully understaffing their baristas, and mighty-o is overwhelmed with tykes and strollers, MM has great coffee!
I love Meridian Market, but I wish they would stock more of what I actually need. It’s pretty upscale and gourmet – I get that, however it’s hard to plan to go to five different stores to just get basics.
When it comes right down to it, basic capitalism suggests that people will go for price and availability of goods every time. How about confronting Amazon with a neighborhood delivery service? I would totally sign up for that!
I have to admit when I first moved to the area I would go to MM often, stocking up on fruit in the summer or to grab morning essentials for a breakfast on sunday.
However, I was in the store recently and the owner came over to me to say something, and reached out and touched my arm , this has happened twice, and personally as a woman I do not like any man touching me even if they have good intentions. This is a major turnoff and keeps me away from the store.
Jordan,
Do you have guidelines posted somewhere about what makes for a respectful, productive discussion. For instance, if one has a problem doesn’t it make more sense to take it to the source? This is disintegrating to my mind.
Nancy Merrill
Nancy,
Are people not permitted to share their opinions, experiences and suggestions about this unless they are of the “Polyanna” variety?
If I were the owner of MM, I’d welcome the feedback posted here because it’s specific and actionable. While it may not all be positive, isn’t he better off knowing some of the things that might be keeping people away?
Posted with the best of intentions and in the kindest, sustainable spirit.
Ford
If you don’t like it when someone touches your arm, tell THEM.
What’s more Seattle than having an offensive personal interaction, saying nothing about it to the person involved, then posting about it later on a blog? This sounds like Ask the Uptight Seattleite.
Though frankly, if I were running a business, I wouldn’t touch my customers. Unless I was a chiropractor or massage therapist. Then I might.
Nancy,
Business thrives by word of mouth, and if a friend of mine were to ask what I thought about the meridian market I would say the exact same thing I posted here, because this is a friendly neighborhood blog.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with what I have posted, it is simply matter of fact, and also if you don’t want to hear the truth about an interaction I had with the owner , you don’t have to read about it.
I find it quite interesting that for someone that has posted argumentative responses in the seattle times, that you would be one to tell me how my right to freedom of speech can and should be conveyed and in what matter.
While I’m writing on here about my experiences at the MM I think I’d like to add one more upsetting venture that happened there, My sister who is Irish was wearing an Irish t shirt and she is a curvy 18 year old, one of the older employers said something extremely derogatory to her and I vowed I would not go back, yet gave them another chance and quite frankly , I don’t like to deny reality. The reality is that two men at different times at MM acted inappropriately and that Is why I choose not to shop there, If you like to go there, that is your choice, I was simply expressing why I do not. Though you may not agree with everything said on this neighborhood blog, you can take what you like and leave the rest…..
The few times I have shopped here, I hit the sandiwch counter at lunch. It was pretty good. Nice to have something like that in the neighborhood. As for groceries, I’ve never shopped there given the close proximity of other choices like QFC or TJs. I’m just not a “convenience store” shopper.
I have to say I Love Meridian Market and we as a neighborhood are fortunate to have such a convenience right in our backyards. Let’s join together and keep the Meridian Market in business! If you don’t like the owner touching your arm, just tell him! I think the selections are great and I love the deli!! The people have always been friendly and call me by name —- I am willing to pay a little more for my groceries when I get so much more customer service and respect as a customer than at the other big chain stores — I always come out of the MM with a smile!! Let’s all vow to at least spend $100 a month at the Meridian Market!!! See you all at the Meridian Market!!!
Thanks to all who took the time to express their constructive opinions, both positive and negative, about the Meridian Market, and to Erin who wrote such a nice article. I love this little store, my customers and the neighborhood in which we chose to open it.
I’m afraid I have to comment on my “inappropriate behavior” as discussed above. I grew up in a multi-cultural environment and married into an Italian family, all of whom encourage hugging, back-patting, cheek-kissing honest and loud communication, etc. as expressions of appreciation and compassion toward their friends, neighbors and family members. I still very much like to express that to the people around me, though it’s pretty much limited to arm-touching, and patting children on the head. And, it’s equal opportunity for both men and women.
So, If I’ve forgotten myself and said or done something someone deems inappropriate, I feel badly that my gesture was assumed to be sexual or of ill intent, and I totally respect the feelings and subsequent actions of others. But I greatly value genuine and sincere interaction with my fellow human beings, and I’m too old to make the switch to total political correctness. Enough on that subject, back to trying to improve the business.
Regards
Wally
I’ve experienced ‘unfriendly’ customer interactions when I’ve visited MM. It’s kept me from becoming a regular there, as it is very close to where I live. A key to a successful small business is friendly and sincere interaction with customers. At MM, it is sometimes hard to get the attention of the deli counter person, s/he often has some conversation going on the a phone, and there’s rarely a ‘thank you for coming today’ expressed upon purchase. It’s not really rude, just unfriendly.
As to arm touching and head patting … there is no excuse for it. I don’t want Wally touching my arm even if in a man-to-man fashion no matter what his ethnic background. Save the touching for when you travel to Italy, we don’t touch her unless it’s with consent.
I hope the store stays in business, and appropriate friendly interactions with all customers will definitely help.
Wally’s friendliness is a precious asset for our hood and anyone who objects to a perfectly platonic, conversational arm pat from a store owner would likely recoil fom ANY armpat from an acquaintance of either gender! A cold state of affairs in a place that needs warmth!
Meridian Market… Just One More Idea to keep it OPEN
Meridian Market’s business is down 40% this year over last year. A talk with Wally Wright affirms that it is difficult to stock and keep shelves full. So what if those of us who want to keep Meridian Market open were to purchase cash(or debit) cards there? This would give up-front money to stock shelves, would establish the habit of doing some of our grocery shopping there, and perhaps save this valuable neighborhood resource.
A number of people have already bought cash cards at Meridian Market. More of us could do it. The mechanism already exists for this transaction. Go to Meridian Market, walk around the aisles, see for yourself that there is plenty there for you to buy at reasonable prices, and then ask for a Meridian Market cash card for whatever amount you would like…. $25, $50, $100, $200. Name the people that can charge to your card. Using your cash card rather than your Visa (or other) credit card, saves the store the added expense of the credit card companies. Next time you come in for coffee and a scone, remember to pick up some of the other products that you regularly use at home.
If we want Meridian Market, we need to prove its worth to us in terms of our spending habits!
I was in the other day, needed to buy milk for my toddler, all I had was my debit card (who carries cash). The girl at the counter asked if I had cash, I said no, she was rude, I then said , I’ll be happy to pay the fee if you use my debit card
She said NO, WE are charged for you to use your card, very blatantly and quite rude, she simply took my card, didnt say thank you , I have been a regular here for months and that kind of attitude will not get any more of my business, the one time I don’t spend over five dollars and I get attitude and no graciousness
No thank You!
My experience since the store opened has been that more often than not, the people that work there are not particularly friendly. I shop or have had dinner at MM at least once a week for close to three years. You would think that someone other than Wally would show at least some recognition of my patronage. That said, I really hate to say it but Wally can be overly friendly in a way that makes me uncomfortable. Frankly, the only reason I continue to shop there is to support a local business.