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BIZNOTE: Metropolitan Market remodel resuming; community conversation Thursday

February 17, 2017 8:28 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Remodeling work is about to resume at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral. We reported on the work and some of the changes in September and in October. The work was paused for the holiday season, and now MM has sent an open letter to the community with word on what’s happening now and what’s coming up, including a chance to drop by next Thursday night (February 23rd) between 7 and 8:30 pm to talk with MM president/CEO Todd Korman and Admiral store director Paul Marth. You can see the letter here as a PDF, and embedded below:

The remodel also was a recent topic of discussion in the WSB Forums. Meantime, we’re adding the Thursday gathering to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

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24 Replies to "BIZNOTE: Metropolitan Market remodel resuming; community conversation Thursday"

  • MrsT February 17, 2017 (8:46 pm)

    I’d love to know if they are planning on moving the gluten free bakery section back soon. Losing PCC for two years is going to make it hard on us gluten free people out here in the neighborhood…

  • Gene February 17, 2017 (9:33 pm)

    MRST- if you read the letter- there will be a public meeting at Met Mkt on Thursday Feb 23 7-8:30- or email the store director Paul Marth at mailto:pmarth@metropolitan-market.com.

    Maybe you could attend or email?

  • Diane February 17, 2017 (9:34 pm)

    meeting in “our Pavilion”; where is the Pavilion?  is that outside?  or where the upstairs coffee bar used to be?

    • KBear February 17, 2017 (9:56 pm)

      I’m sure if you go to the store you’ll be able to find it. 

  • zephyr February 17, 2017 (9:45 pm)

    Thanks for posting this letter.  I too have been very disappointed in the wacky layout of the store.  It’s very hard to get from one place to another it seems.   I mainly come here as a special trip since I live further south.  The produce, prepared foods, bakery and specialty items were the main draw.  I really miss the pasta and salads to order.   About a year ago I noticed the increase in Asian cuisine pushing out the more traditional dishes they used to make.  Sorry to see that happen.  I appreciate that they are inviting us to a meeting.  Not sure I can make it, but will make a note.  Again I am glad they responded.   

  • JeffK February 18, 2017 (5:29 am)

    Are they getting rid of those silly tiles that the carts clunk, clunk, clunk…. over?

    • Kristen February 21, 2017 (8:10 pm)

      JeffK, I didn’t think of it until you brought it up, those clunky tiles are the worst!

  • chemist February 18, 2017 (7:21 am)

    I’ve already been bribed by redeeming my coupon for 10 oz of free Metropolitan Market bacon …. not even mad.

  • Gene February 18, 2017 (7:26 am)

    ZEPHYR- again- if you can’t make to the meeting- please email the store director- Met Mkt is asking for input- give it.

  • 22blades February 18, 2017 (7:30 am)

    I’m heartened to see they are trying. I don’t know of I’ll be able to make it to the meeting because of work, but I think there should be a conversation about not just the remodel but some structural issues that make shopping there less palatable like selection, staffing and tasking. It honestly feels like a (disconnected) consultant came in tried to “game” us, the customer. It’s doesn’t even seem like it’s MM doing because it’s so out of character.

    I hope there will be a genuine conversation without spin or rancor. Kudos to them for paying attention.

  • Blbl February 18, 2017 (9:14 am)

    Agree with you, 22Blades.  I will try to make it but if not,  I will email my similar concerns.

  • aa February 18, 2017 (9:59 am)

    It may seem out of character because of new ownership. I don’t know when the change happened but Todd Korman is not the long time owner that created /transitioned these markets from Admiral Thriftway(Queen Anne too) on thru to the MMarkets they are today. That was Terry Halverson. Looks like he sold the company.

  • Maggie February 18, 2017 (10:58 am)

    I love Met Market and understand the growing pains but the move to upscale everything is a real burden for those of us who want to support you. Going from a mix of conventionally grown & organic produce to organic only  makes shopping there even more expensive than it already was.  What about trying to strike a balance in this an other areas, like providing a couple of affordable prepared lunch/dinner options? People who are looking for the higher end experience are still going to support you and you can continue to serve the average consumer. With PCC on hiatus you will be the only full-service market with quality produce, meat and bakery. Safeway is so low-quality, so low service/no service that  it’s a terrible shopping experience. I want to continue to support you and your fantastic service but maybe you can do more to meet me and others in the middle (class). 

  • T February 18, 2017 (11:34 am)

    I was set to never go back after my last visit over the Holidays but I didn’t realize they weren’t done yet.  I guess I’ll give it another go after they are all done.  Why I wasn’t going back?  My main 3 reasons were all gone: Freshly Made Pastas, Salads and Sandwiches – in one swoosh.   I let them know and I hoped I wasn’t the only one.  From the sounds of it, I wasn’t.

  • M February 18, 2017 (12:25 pm)

    I used to go there all of the time.  I rarely go there now.  I used to get turkey dinner there and now I never see them have turkey.  The stuffing is usually overcooked.  I used to pick up hot red potatoes which I don’t see anymore.  I don’t remember the last time they had meatloaf.  I wish they would bring these items back.

  • Gene February 18, 2017 (1:55 pm)

    Everyone who has a suggestion/complaint- please make an effort to either attend the meeting or email the store director- all that info is in the letter above. It’s good to see comments here – but it’s even more important to let Met Mkt. know.

  • Bring Back The Prime Rib Salad Station February 18, 2017 (4:40 pm)

    Really disappointed in how it’s progressing, and have pretty much stopped shopping there. The prime rib, roast pork, sandwiches, and salad station was a stape for us. We always stopped by on our way home to for a good dinner when we didn’t feel like cooking. Now they direct you over to an open salad bar that anyone has touched or sneezed on and tell you to make it yourself. If I wanted to make it myself, I would have just gone home instead. The Met use to be upscale. It now feels like any other wannabe highend store.  Really disappointed.

  • sillygrrrl February 20, 2017 (4:35 pm)

    I recently moved to a condo in Magnolia and live right by the Metropolitan Market here. They have completed the interior remodel and it is fantastic!!! They are still dealing with a few things in the North lot, but other then that the re-model is great, the salad bar & warm food buffet area are awesome, etc… our store in Magnolia is on 2/3 of the size of the one in Admiral, but give them time, and I think you will all appreciate the changes they are making.

  • sillygrrrl February 20, 2017 (4:38 pm)

    one more thing…. they still have the prime rib, and roast pork area in the deli and will serve you a dinner or a sandwich, with pre-made salads such as kale, etc… 

  • Dianne February 22, 2017 (8:46 pm)

    I have stopped visiting the store on a regular basis.  the first reason is that the coffee shop was moved to the bakery area.  Consequently, anyone who wants to visit on a Sunday morning, for instance, and had two dogs in tow…the routine has dramatically changed.   I appreciated going to the coffee shop, tying the dogs up and I could see them as I waited for my coffee.  Now, there is a very dark area by the bakery outside door that I have to tie my dogs up….then get the dogs, walk around the store to get to the “seating area outside” and no people!  It’s  un-welcoming.  It isn’t up to the standards of MM had in the beginning.   I miss the coffee shop in the old area, and it is no longer a place I love to visit, so I don’t.  

    The changes in take-out changed, and now we have posted recipes for Admiral Salad or Caesar Salad rather than have your people make it.  Really?   Way too many brightly- lit food stations.  No ambiance anymore.  It’s stark and cold.  The place has changed enough so I rarely go there anymore, which is so sad.  The bumpy tile floors and shocks when reaching into a shelf are a “pain” – noisy and hurtful.  You have turned a lovely store into a very profit-oriented, cold store.  

  • WS5 February 23, 2017 (5:19 pm)

     Please don’t tie your pet to anything and leave.  A friend of my lost their dog that way, tied up to run inside a grocery store quickly, someone took it they never found their family pet. 

    Besides it is illegal

    Section 9.25.084 of the Seattle Municipal Code, referring to animal control. In the case described, she said section F applies:

    It is unlawful for the owner to: …

    F. Tether an animal in such a manner as to permit the animal to enter
    any sidewalk, street, alley or place open to the public, or to enter
    any adjacent lot or premises unless authorized by the occupant of the
    adjacent premises.

  • AlkiResident13 February 25, 2017 (10:45 pm)

    These sure are some first world problems. We are all so lucky to have a store like this in our neighborhood. 

    • Elton February 27, 2017 (7:29 am)

      +1 on this. I love met market, I was surprised to read so many complaints. The staff has been awesome and sure prices are higher but quality is better than other stores and it’s still cheaper than pcc. I guess I cook more than others because I use the ready made foods much less often but didn’t have issues with that in the transition either. My only “complaint”  is that it’s hard at times to find some basics, like bacon, without sugar but i consider that pretty common in the western world. 

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