
Jeff Brown, center, founder, president and CEO of Brown's Super Stores,
cuts the ribbon to officially reopen the newly remodeled ShopRite of Island Avenue.
The Brown family hosted a ribbon cutting and grand re-opening celebration for the ShopRite of Island Avenue last month, unveiling a new Brown’s Chef’s Market with a variety of hot, prepared and specialty foods; a beer garden and wine cellar; a café and live music.
The Browns began planning to remodel the 14-year old supermarket four years ago, before the city of Philadelphia initiated the beverage tax.
“We’re facing a challenging business climate in the city since the beverage tax was implemented,” said Jeff Brown, president and CEO. “We made the decision to move forward with the plan to keep our commitment to our associates and the community. We hope the exciting new additions to this store will keep customers from leaving the city to shop for groceries and beverages that are not taxed.”
The supermarket, located at 2946 Island Avenue in southwest Philadelphia, was the first in the state to open under the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which was created in 2004 to help bring supermarkets to food deserts which lack of access to fresh, affordable food.
The newly renovated store features Brown’s Chef’s Market, a hub of hot prepared food and specialty items. Restaurant style offerings in the store include a hot bar featuring Brown’s Authentic Fire Grilled Chicken, Sticky Ribs and various items made by store chefs. The Chef’s Market also offers ‘The Wok’ Asian Cuisine, sushi and a beer garden and wine cellar with craft and regular beers and over 500 varieties of wine that can be enjoyed in the store or to take-out.
The Browns began planning to remodel the 14-year old supermarket four years ago, before the city of Philadelphia initiated the beverage tax.
“We’re facing a challenging business climate in the city since the beverage tax was implemented,” said Jeff Brown, president and CEO. “We made the decision to move forward with the plan to keep our commitment to our associates and the community. We hope the exciting new additions to this store will keep customers from leaving the city to shop for groceries and beverages that are not taxed.”
The supermarket, located at 2946 Island Avenue in southwest Philadelphia, was the first in the state to open under the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which was created in 2004 to help bring supermarkets to food deserts which lack of access to fresh, affordable food.
The newly renovated store features Brown’s Chef’s Market, a hub of hot prepared food and specialty items. Restaurant style offerings in the store include a hot bar featuring Brown’s Authentic Fire Grilled Chicken, Sticky Ribs and various items made by store chefs. The Chef’s Market also offers ‘The Wok’ Asian Cuisine, sushi and a beer garden and wine cellar with craft and regular beers and over 500 varieties of wine that can be enjoyed in the store or to take-out.